Cricket

KL Rahul, the dynamic Indian cricketer, has expressed his fondness for his time with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Having joined RCB in 2013, Rahul returned to the franchise in 2016 after a brief stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad.During an appearance on Star Sports' "Unplugged," Rahul shared his experiences with RCB, stating, "In 2016 when I went back to RCB, it could have been a fairytale story. I enjoyed playing at RCB the most. Bangalore is home, and the people there know me as a local Kannada boy."Rahul acknowledged the challenges of sports, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and adaptability. "Unfortunately in sports, your best is not good enough always. I have always been someone who has tried very hard, and I'll find a way to bounce back. I'll find a way to better my cricket. I am okay with any role or any responsibility."Addressing his departure from the Lucknow Super Giants, Rahul explained his desire for a fresh start and an environment where he could play with greater freedom. "I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options, and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom. Team atmosphere would be lighter. Sometimes you just need to move away and find something good for yourself, and I have been out of the T20 team for a while."Rahul expressed confidence in his abilities and his determination to regain his form. "I know where I stand as a player, and I know what I need to do to get back. I look forward to this IPL season to give me that platform to go back and enjoy my cricket. My aim is obviously to get back into the T20 team."In 2013, Rahul's involvement with RCB was limited, playing in only five matches and batting in two innings. He accumulated 20 runs, with a highest score of 12, at an average of 10.00. His strike rate was 125.00, achieved from 16 balls faced. He didn't score any half-centuries or centuries during that season.In the field, Rahul took two catches and did not execute any stumpings. The 2016 season saw Rahul making a more significant impact. He played in 14 matches, batting in 12 innings, and remained not out on three occasions. This resulted in an average of 44.11. Rahul scored 397 runs, with his highest score being 68 not out, achieved at a strike rate of 146.49. He struck four half-centuries, 37 fours, and 16 sixes. Rahul's contributions behind the stumps included five catches and four stumpings, showcasing his dual abilities as a batsman and wicketkeeper.

KL Rahul's Form Woes Cast Shadow Over India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy PreparationsAs Team India gears up for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the form of star opener KL Rahul has emerged as a major concern. Rahul's recent struggles have raised questions about his ability to deliver in the challenging conditions Down Under.In the recently concluded home series against New Zealand, Rahul endured a dismal outing, scoring just 12 runs across two innings. His poor form continued in an India A match against Australia A, where he managed only 14 runs in two innings.Rahul's struggles have put him under intense scrutiny, with many experts questioning his place in the Test team. The 30-year-old is one of India's most experienced batters, but his recent performances have left selectors and fans alike worried.With the first Test in Perth just over a week away, Rahul is desperate to rediscover his touch. He was seen working hard in the nets during India's training session at the WACA, alongside fellow openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.India will be aiming to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they have won on their last two tours of Australia. However, they will need their key players, including Rahul, to perform at their best if they are to overcome the formidable challenge posed by the Aussies.Rahul's form will be closely monitored in the lead-up to the first Test. If he fails to find his rhythm, India may be forced to consider alternative options at the top of the order.

KL Rahul, the former captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has shed light on his departure from the franchise, citing a desire for a fresh start and greater freedom on the field. Rahul's exit has sparked speculation about the reasons behind his departure, but he has clarified that it was his own decision to explore new opportunities."I wanted to start fresh, explore my options, and find a team where I could play with freedom," Rahul said in an interview with Star Sports. "Sometimes you just need to move away and find something good for yourself."Rahul's departure from LSG comes after a disappointing season for the team, which finished ninth in the IPL 2024 standings. The team's owner, Sanjiv Goenka, expressed frustration following their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, hinting at underlying tensions within the dressing room.Rahul, who captained LSG for three seasons, was notably absent from their retained players list for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. He is expected to be one of the most sought-after players in the auction, which will be held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.Despite his recent struggles, Rahul remains confident in his abilities and is determined to make a comeback to the Indian T20 team. He has been out of the national setup for over two years but believes that the upcoming IPL season will provide him with the platform to showcase his skills and earn a recall."I know where I stand as a player and I know what I need to do to get back," Rahul said. "I look forward to this IPL season to give me that platform to go back and enjoy my cricket. My aim is to obviously get back into the T20 team."Rahul's departure from LSG marks a significant change for the franchise, which will now need to find a new captain and rebuild its squad for the upcoming season. It remains to be seen whether Rahul will be able to find the success and freedom he seeks with a new team, but his determination to make a comeback to the Indian team is a testament to his resilience and ambition.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering support for under-fire batsman KL Rahul, emphasizing his crucial role in India's plans for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Gambhir praised Rahul's versatility, highlighting his ability to bat in various positions and keep wickets in ODIs. "KL Rahul is a rare talent," said Gambhir. "He can open the batting, bat at No. 3, or even play at No. 6. Not many teams have players with such versatility."Rahul's inclusion in the squad for Australia is contingent on Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test. If Sharma is unavailable, Rahul is a strong contender to open the batting alongside Yashaswi Jaiswal.However, Rahul's recent performances have raised concerns. He was dropped after the first Test against New Zealand and sent to Australia early to join the India 'A' squad for practice. His performance in the second unofficial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was disappointing, with a total of just 14 runs in two innings.Despite Rahul's struggles, Gambhir remains confident in his abilities. "He is one of the options to open the batting if Rohit is not available," said Gambhir. "We are still weighing our options."The coach also addressed the question of Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test. "There is no confirmation yet," said Gambhir. "Hopefully, he will be available. We will know more before the start of the series."In the event of Sharma's absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side as vice-captain.

KL Rahul's dismal batting form continued in the second unofficial Test against Australia A, leaving India A in a precarious position. Rahul, who is vying for an opening spot in the Indian Test team for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, managed a mere 14 runs across two innings, including a bizarre dismissal in the second innings.After bowling out India A for 161 on the opening day, Australia A posted 223, giving them a 62-run first-innings lead. However, India A's top-order faltered in their second innings, with Rahul falling in an embarrassing fashion.Facing 44 deliveries, Rahul misjudged a tossed-up delivery and failed to offer a shot. The ball ricocheted off his pads and onto the stumps, leaving him bewildered as he trudged back to the pavilion. This dismissal between the legs further compounded his struggles ahead of the crucial Test series.Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was selected as a backup opener for the upcoming tour of Australia, also failed to impress. After a first-innings duck, he managed only 17 runs in the second innings. The Indian top-order struggled against the quality spin and pace of the Australian bowlers, leaving them at 56/5 early in the second innings.Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (19 batting) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (9 batting) ensured there were no further setbacks, negotiating the remaining overs before stumps were drawn for the day.Earlier, India A's pace attack, led by Prasidh Krishna's four-wicket burst and Mukesh Kumar's three-wicket haul, dominated the Australian batting, dismissing them for 223 in 62.1 overs. Marcus Harris was the standout batter for Australia A, scoring a gritty 74 off 138 balls.In response, India A lost openers Abhimanyu and Sai Sudharsan cheaply to disciplined bowling from Nathan McAndrew and Beau Webster. Abhimanyu's misreading of McAndrew's pace led to his dismissal at gully, adding to the team's concerns. Devdutt Padikkal (1) also fell cheaply, as both Webster (2/14) and McAndrew (2/22) tore through India's batting lineup.However, Jurel and Reddy then held firm, ensuring India A ended the day on 73/5, still trailing by 11 runs.

India's upcoming tour of Australia poses significant challenges for the team, particularly in the batting department. Former batter Robin Uthappa believes that the squad needs players who can play a conventional style of cricket, emphasizing the importance of defense and patience.Uthappa suggests that KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are the most suitable candidates for this role. He notes that both players possess the ability to anchor the innings and provide stability to the batting lineup. Despite the team's preference for aggressive stroke-makers, Uthappa argues that a defensive approach is crucial in the challenging conditions of Australia.While Cheteshwar Pujara has been a key figure in India's previous Test victories Down Under, Uthappa believes there is still a place for him in the team. Pujara's experience and ability to grind out runs can be invaluable in the face of Australia's formidable bowling attack.Uthappa also discusses India's upcoming T20I series against South Africa. He highlights the importance of this series for Sanju Samson, who has been in impressive form recently. Uthappa believes that Samson has the potential to solidify his position in the team with a strong performance in this series.Additionally, Uthappa advocates for the inclusion of Ramandeep Singh and Yash Dayal in the T20I squad. He praises Singh's all-round abilities and Dayal's resilience and character. Uthappa believes that both players have the potential to make significant contributions to the team.

KL Rahul's inconsistent form continues to haunt him as he failed to impress in the opening day of India A's four-day contest against Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Opening the batting, Rahul was dismissed for a mere four runs, putting his hopes of earning a spot in the India XI for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in jeopardy.Rahul's dismissal came at the hands of Scott Boland, who angled the ball into the off stump region and found the edge. The 32-year-old had started strongly, hitting a boundary off his first ball, but his innings was cut short after just seven deliveries.Michael Neser emerged as the destroyer-in-chief for Australia A, taking 4 wickets for 27 runs in the first innings. Dhruv Jurel top-scored for India A with 80 runs, while Devdutt Padikkal (26) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (16) also contributed. Beau Webster claimed three wickets for the hosts, running through the lower order.Rahul's latest single-digit outing is a setback in his bid to seal a spot in the Indian team for the Perth Test, which begins in 15 days. Dropped for the second and third Tests against New Zealand, Rahul needs to make a mark at the MCG to impress selectors, coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Rohit Sharma.Inconsistency has been a major concern for Rahul, who has struggled to find his rhythm in recent times. He scored 38 and 68 in the two Bangladesh Tests and had produced 86 runs against England in Hyderabad. His last Test century, 101 runs, came versus South Africa at Centurion.Prior to that knock, Rahul had gone past the 25-run mark only once in 12 innings. His record in Australia is also not encouraging, with the batter averaging just 20.77 in five Tests.Despite his struggles, Rahul's experience and ability to bat at the top of the order or in the middle could still earn him a recall to the Indian team. However, he will need to produce a significant performance in the remaining three days of the match to convince the selectors that he deserves a place in the XI.

The upcoming four-day A-team encounter at the MCG will once again be a crucial stage for Australian batters vying for the vacant spot in the Test side. However, the arrival of Indian Test squad member KL Rahul has added an intriguing subplot to the match.Rahul, who played the first Test against New Zealand before being dropped, has joined India A to gain match practice ahead of the first Test in Perth. Despite averaging just 20.77 in Australia from five Tests, Rahul could be in contention if Rohit Sharma misses the game due to personal reasons.Australian quick bowler Scott Boland is eager to make an impression against Rahul, having previously bowled to him in a Test over in India. Boland believes that Rahul is a world-class player but is confident that Australia can get on top of him."He's a world-class player but someone I think we can get on top of pretty early and hopefully stay on top of him for the majority of the summer," Boland said.Boland also cautioned against reading too much into India's 3-0 loss against New Zealand, noting the different conditions in Australia."There's so much more bounce here, more seam," Boland said. "The way they'll structure their team will be completely different to what you see over in India."While the majority of India's Test squad will not have a full game in Australia before the first Test, Rohit Sharma explained that the team opted for match simulation instead of a practice match to allow batters and bowlers more time in the middle.Boland is expected to be the reserve quick in the Test squad and is likely to feature at some point, given the belief that the durability of the "big three" bowlers last season was an outlier.Boland has been working his way back from injury and is eager to make an impact."It felt like a long six months between games," he said. "Remember being out on the ground in the Shield game and was just really happy to be back playing cricket."

KL Rahul's omission from the Lucknow Super Giants' retained players list for the IPL 2025 auctions has sparked speculation about his future destination. The former LSG captain, who was one of the most sought-after players in the league, is now a free agent and could be pursued by several franchises.One potential suitor is Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rahul's former team. RCB legend AB de Villiers has hinted that the franchise may be interested in bringing Rahul back. "If only we kept hold of KL Rahul, we never would've had to buy him back in the auction," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.De Villiers also suggested that RCB could target Kagiso Rabada, the South African fast bowler who had a disappointing IPL season with Punjab Kings in 2024. "Kagiso Rabada would be nice at RCB; that would be very, very cool," de Villiers said. "He is a guy that might go for a decent price like a discount. I think he is gonna have the best IPL of his life coming up in 2025."Another team that could be interested in Rahul is Punjab Kings. Newly-appointed coach Ricky Ponting expressed surprise at Rahul's release by LSG. "It seems certain franchises are aiming for a change in direction," Ponting said.Rahul's availability in the auction pool has created a buzz among IPL fans. The 31-year-old is a proven match-winner and has been one of the most consistent performers in the league. He has scored over 3,000 runs in the IPL, including two centuries and 27 half-centuries.Rahul's leadership skills are also highly regarded. He led LSG to the playoffs in their debut season in 2022. He has also captained India in limited-overs cricket.With the IPL 2025 auctions set to take place in December, Rahul's future destination remains uncertain. However, it is clear that he will be one of the most sought-after players in the league.