KL Rahul’s T20 Evolution: Guidance from the Greats
Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul has attributed his growth as a T20 cricketer to the invaluable mentorship he received from some of the game’s legends. In an interview with Star Sports’ Captains Speak, Rahul acknowledged the profound impact of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Kane Williamson on his understanding of the format.
Rahul’s journey to T20 mastery was not without its challenges. It took him several years to fully grasp the nuances of the game. However, his time spent with Kohli and de Villiers at Royal Challengers Bengaluru proved to be a transformative experience.
“T20 gets over very quickly, you don’t get much time,” Rahul explained. “It took me 2-3 years to understand how I can bat in T20 and how I can be successful. Just being around really great players in the IPL helped me.”
While he may not have engaged in extensive conversations with Kohli and de Villiers, Rahul’s keen observation of their preparation, mindset, and approach to the game proved invaluable. “I was with them in RCB. I used to see how they prepared, how they were playing their cricket, and what their mindset was. Sometimes I would go and talk to them, ask them questions. That really helped me,” he said.
Rahul also highlighted the influence of Kane Williamson during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad. “Kane Williamson is another guy. With Sunrisers, I spent a lot of time with him. And just by talking to people, I found my own way. Earlier, I used to feel nervous about the game, but I ended up getting my highest score.”
In the ongoing IPL 2024 season, Rahul has been in scintillating form, amassing 378 runs in nine matches, including three half-centuries and a highest score of 82. His performances have not only been impressive with the bat but also behind the stumps, solidifying his credentials as a potential wicket-keeping option for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
As the captain of LSG, Rahul has led his team to five victories, proving his leadership qualities and determination to guide his side to the playoffs. The right-hander’s next challenge lies ahead as LSG prepare to face Mumbai Indians in the 48th match of IPL 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
