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Star batter KL Rahul recently shared his approach to handling trolls on social media, emphasising that negative comments affect him like any other athlete. During a period of injury earlier this year, Rahul took the time to work on his ‘head’ and realised that letting his performance on the field speak for itself is a good way of fending off negativity on social media.
His remarks followed his impressive century on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India in Centurion. This marked his return to the Test side after being dropped during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia earlier in the year. Playing the dual role of wicketkeeper-batter and batting at No. 6 for only the second time in his Test career, the 31-year-old played a crucial role, scoring 101 to help India achieve a competitive total of 245 in the first innings. Despite facing a formidable pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada on a challenging pitch, he demonstrated his experience and resilience to anchor India's innings.
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"It's difficult, obviously. When you play international cricket, you are challenged as a cricketers, as a person and as an individual each day, each moment. There is the pressure of social media. When you score a hundred, people go 'wow, wow'.But a 3-4 months ago, they were abusing me. It's part and parcel of the game," Rahul told the press after the second day's play in Centurion.
His statements come a day after South African spinner Tabraiz Shami disclosed troubling incidents of him and his wife being targeted by social media trolls due to his wicket celebration in a T20I series against India.
Rahul achieved the distinction of becoming the first overseas batter to score two centuries in Centurion. The 31-year-old had previously secured a match-winning hundred at SuperSport Park in 2021.
His remarkable return to form across various formats following an extended period of injury has been exceptional. After seizing a last-minute opportunity in the Asia Cup, he continued his stellar performance into the World Cup, emerging as the cornerstone of India's middle-order.
In addition, he captained India to a memorable ODI series triumph in South Africa earlier this month, showcasing his leadership skills before delivering an outstanding innings in the first Test's opening innings.
'WHAT WILL HAPPEN BY EXPRESSING YOURSELF?'
Discussing his approach to handling trolls, Rahul highlighted that negative comments impact every athlete, and he expressed the belief that anyone claiming otherwise "was lying." Rahul has previously experienced being targeted by trolls on social media.
"It does affect you, I won't say it doesn't affect me, But, it's the sooner you realise that your mindset and your game will be better if you stay away from it (negativity on social media). You can perform and be in a better mindset if you slightly know where to draw the line.”
“Nobody is that great that they can completely avoid what is being said and the criticism that they are getting, it does affect each person. Anyone who said it doesn't affect them at all, is lying, I am sure. Each person has to find a way (To deal with it).”
"For me, during my injury lay-off, I worked on myself, and tried to get back to the person I am. I realised that I shouldn't change myself due to what's being said outside. It's very difficult to remain true to yourself and remain true to your personality when so much is happening.”
“But like anything in cricket, like anything else in life, there are ways to work on it, there are people who can people if your mind is open. That's what I did. I worked on myself, worked on remaining calmer and taking care of my head when I was not playing.”
Rahul further said that he made the choice not to engage with trolls and recognised that the most effective response to critics is to let his on-field performances do the talking.
"What will happen by expressing yourself? Nothing will change. People who say things will keep on saying things. I have realised that whatever sport you play, if you are in the public eye, your performance is the only way you can stay away from negative comments. As long as you keep performing, you can keep these things away. You will be happy if you try and stay away from all these things," he added.
Dean Elgar's sensational unbeaten 140 on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test overshadowed Rahul's century, and South Africa concluded another day, marred by weather interruptions, in a dominant position.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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