Exclusive | ‘Country Over My Child’: KL Rahul’s first word before England Test | Cricket news
New Delhi: A new father, raising a one-and-a-half-month-old child in his arms-leaves everything to soak in that happiness, cherishes every moment, plays a little, and holds every grisk and sound. But KL Rahul chose a different route.“Country first, Hemung Bhai. I care about this team,” – he was the first words he told his Delhi capital coach Hemung Badani because he returned to training for IPL 2025.For KL Rahul, a clear goal was: England test series.There was a lot of new to him – a new IPL franchise in Delhi’s capitals, discovery of a new batting role, and the largest of them – a new challenge in England. After retiring from the trials with Stalwarts Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, Rahul was seen as a senior supporter, someone who can lead to the front.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!When he first stepped into his Delhi Capital Practice Kit, he came out of the dressing room with a ponytail. While taking out a hairband from his pocket, he tied his hair, hit his fist with teammates, hugged Badani a bear, slightly increased – and got straight to business: the batting drill.“I really liked the fact that he was someone who said,” I want to go to England soon. I want to play side games. ” Badani told Timesopindia.com that a hundred said that hundred met later.“Don’t forget, he is a young father, and I don’t think his child is traveling with him in the beginning. So to say this, ‘country above my child’ – this is a very big call. He can easily say, ‘I am not playing the side game anyway, I will go directly to the Test match.” But he did not, “he said.In England, KL did not matter to Rahul than wearing whites – and made it clear with his actions. He quickly flew, played an informal test against Lions of England, and made a strong, unnatural statement.
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In that match, a score of 116 and 51 sent a loud and clear message: He had arrived. This phase, also, was his-like that prestigious “Kantara” festival at M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the IPL, when he took Royal Challengers Bangalore down.For a long time of music chairs in his test career, Rahul was handed over an initial slot with Yashsvi Jaiswal. He gave India a stable start in the first innings, scoring 42 before being dismissed by Bridan Cars. In the second innings, he ensured that the opportunity was not allowed to go away. Rahul prepared a composed and gritty 137 off 247 balls, steering India till 364.It was a special century for the Karnataka player. You can see pride on his face-and the satisfaction that comes after years of stop-start journey. 23 Tests were taken for him to increase his bat and helmet once again in front of the crowd. His previous examination was against South Africa in Centurion in 2023.
“I care about this team” – KL Rahul
In 2018 and 2021, already part of two test tourism for England – experience was experience. But this third needs to be special. This time, he is a senior person, patron, voice in the dressing room.He was seen guiding batsmen like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashsvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan-and even his childhood friend Karun Nair, who returned to the test after an eight-year gap.“KL made a statement that I remember before the test series: ‘I care about this team, and I want to live here.” He wanted to go to England.
“He is previously played in England. And in terms of maturity and technology, you can clearly see that he is now focusing more. He knows that he has to fill the vacuum left behind. The rest of the squad – apart from Karun – is mostly less than 30. So they are included as Sai Reforms, Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, who involves panic.In many ways, KL Rahul has become a bridge between India’s magnificent past and its promising future in Test cricket. Their presence in the team is not only about scoring runs – it is also about taking responsibility and setting tone for a new era. Amidst individual milestones and professional infections, KL Rahul chose the country on commitment to convenience and convenience.(See England India Tour on Sony Sports Network)
