KL Rahul's Emotional Homecoming as India Host New Zealand in Bengaluru

India's Test juggernaut rolls into Bengaluru for the first of three matches against New Zealand, starting Wednesday at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The hosts, riding high on a six-match winning streak, will be aiming to extend their dominance against a New Zealand side missing the services of star batter Kane Williamson.

For Indian opener KL Rahul, this Test holds special significance as it marks a homecoming to the city where his cricketing dreams took flight. In an interview with BCCI TV, Rahul expressed his emotional connection to the Bengaluru ground, recalling his journey from an 11-year-old boy to an international cricketer.

"It's always special for me to come back here," Rahul said. "This is where I grew up, played all my cricket. The feeling for me as an eleven year old boy who came here first time, played a game, that feeling for me hasn't changed."

Rahul described the overwhelming flood of memories that come rushing in whenever he steps onto the field at Chinnaswamy. "From the time you leave the dressing room and walk to the middle, so many emotions hit you. It's like a whole three-hour movie plays in your mind – from my early cricketing days at U13s, U15s, U19s, to Ranji Trophy and IPL matches, and finally, representing India internationally. It gives me goosebumps."

He also fondly reminisced about his time in the clubhouse canteen, where breakfast routines became a cherished tradition. "From age-group cricket to Ranji Trophy, we'd have breakfast at the canteen, finish training, and return for lunch," Rahul recalled. "I haven't been there in the last year or so. I don't know if that place has changed now. But it used to be really delicious and our morning started really good with dosa and coffee."

Rahul, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2014, has garnered 2969 runs in 52 Tests, averaging 34.52. In 2024, he has featured in four Tests, scoring 222 runs at an average of 44.40, with two fifties.

Rahul also displayed his form in the Duleep Trophy, scoring 37 and 57 for India A. With one eye on the upcoming Australia tour, Rahul will be eager to prove his mettle and cement his spot in the team's starting eleven for the Border–Gavaskar Trophy.

Tags: #Cricket, #India, #NewZealand, #KL, Rahul