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KL Rahul is India's first choice wicketkeeper in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. He also played a key role in India's six-wicket win over Bangladesh in Champions Trophy's campaign opener on February 20 with his temperamental knock. Despite chasing a modest target of 229 runs India lost four of their key batters within 31 overs which left them placed at 144/4. But KL Rahul (41*) combined with Shubman Gill (101*) to steer India past finishing line without further hiccups. With India already in the Champions Trophy semifinal, KL Rahul engaged in a riveting Q&A session with ESPNCricinfo.
Who does KL Rahul fear facing in nets?
In a fun Q&A session, Rahul revealed his choices for some of the most challenging aspects of his career. Many interesting questions were directed towards him and Rahul answered all of them. Two interesting questions stood out out of the many. First, when he was asked about the Indian bowler he hates facing in the nets and the other when he was quizzed about a player who intimidated him when the star player came to India fold.
Rahul identified Afghanistan's Rashid Khan as the bowler who has caused him the most sleepless nights, acknowledging the spin wizard's formidable skills. Interestingly, when asked about the bowler he hates facing in the nets, Rahul named his Indian teammate, Mohammad Shami. He candidly admitted that Shami's pace and movement make practice sessions particularly challenging.
Moreoever, Rahul expressed admiration for Virat Kohli's signature flick shot, stating his desire to incorporate it into his own batting technique. Reflecting on his Test career, Rahul highlighted his century against South Africa in Centurion as his most memorable innings. This knock, where he scored 123 runs while opening the batting for the first time in that setting, holds a special place in his heart.
KL Rahul discloses who intimidated him in dressing room when he started off
Continuing his candid insights, KL Rahul reiterated Mohammad Shami's formidable bowling prowess, tipping him as the most challenging bowler to keep wickets against. He also shared a personal anecdote, recalling his initial intimidation by veteran pacer Ishant Sharma upon entering the Indian dressing room, but acknowledged the strong support and camaraderie that developed between them.
The topic of leadership styles among India's iconic captains, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, is a frequent subject of discussion. When asked to identify the player with the sharpest cricketing mind, Rahul unequivocally chose Rohit Sharma. He attributed this to Rohit's strategic thinking and exceptional ability to anticipate game situations, distinguishing him from Kohli and Dhoni in his perception.
Adding a lighter touch to the conversation, Rahul revealed that Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was the most talkative opponent he faced while batting. Finally, with a playful tone, he named Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj as the biggest bragger regarding his big-hitting capabilities.
Currently, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Mohammad Shami are all participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, where India has successfully secured a spot in the semi-finals. Their next match is scheduled for March 2nd, when they will face New Zealand in their final group stage encounter.
In this tournament, KL Rahul has been selected over Rishabh Pant, and he validated his inclusion with a crucial unbeaten 41-run innings against Bangladesh, contributing to India's six-wicket victory. However, he did not get an opportunity to bat in the match against Pakistan. India's win over Pakistan was largely attributed to Virat Kohli's unbeaten century and Shreyas Iyer's half-century, which ensured their progression to the semi-finals.
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