KL Rahul: A Cricketer Finally Coming Into His Own
As a teenager, KL Rahul stood out for his classic batting technique. Hailing from Bengaluru and sharing a name with Rahul Dravid, comparisons were inevitable. Many thought he was the next Dravid – disciplined, calm, and technically sound.
That image took a hit when he appeared on the chat show 'Koffee with Karan', making controversial comments that didn’t sit well with the public or the cricket board. The incident distanced him from the ‘Dravid’ tag and left him hard to define – not a flamboyant star, nor a silent grafter. He was talented, popular, but never quite found his place.
In IPL 2025, that’s starting to change. Rahul quietly moved from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to Delhi Capitals (DC) with a pay cut and demotion. While this may not be his most successful season on paper, it could be his most defining. He’s scoring runs, winning matches, and most importantly, reshaping opinions.
A turning point came during a match against his former franchise, LSG. After leading his team to victory, Rahul gave a cold, expressionless handshake to LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka – a moment that went viral. It was seen as a silent, dignified response to an earlier incident from last season, when Goenka had been seen publicly reprimanding him after a loss.
This calm, composed response is in line with his Bengaluru roots. Like Rahul Dravid, who once subtly showed frustration after a loss by tossing his cap, KL Rahul’s reactions are measured. He’s not one for loud celebrations or press conference outbursts. His message is in his performance.
Earlier this season, Rahul also made a statement at his home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, stamping the turf with his bat after defeating RCB – a team that once considered signing him but chose another player for captaincy.
Rahul’s journey began in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Back then, he was a quiet, zit-faced teenager partnering with Mayank Agarwal at the top. While Mayank was flamboyant, Rahul impressed with graceful groundstrokes. In a post-match interview, Rahul mentioned he admired Dravid and had even sought his advice before the tournament.
Years later, Rahul still keeps a low profile. He’s a man of few words and calm reactions. Except for that one controversial TV appearance, he’s maintained dignity on and off the field. In 2025, he seems to have finally found his place – not in the shadow of Dravid, but as his own kind of Rahul.
In his early days, KL Rahul was known for his elegant batting and calm personality. During the 2010 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand, Rahul and Mayank Agarwal were rising stars. While Mayank idolised Sehwag, Rahul quietly said he looked up to Dravid and had even taken tips from him before the tournament.
That shy, composed image took a hit in 2019 after his appearance on Koffee with Karan with Hardik Pandya. Their controversial comments led to a suspension and Rahul losing his spot in the Indian team. He later admitted it was the “most useless and negative” phase of his life. But with the help of close friends and hard work, he made a strong comeback — scoring Test centuries in England and South Africa.
While he had the technique of Dravid, Rahul had more flair — more “wallop than Wall.” His style made him a favourite in T20 leagues. Franchises rushed to sign him, and he was made captain even before fully settling into a leadership role. But the burden of captaincy affected his performance. He often delivered with the bat but couldn’t lead his teams to consistent success.
In the Indian team, Rahul has never had a fixed role. He’s batted at almost every position from 1 to 7, and often fills in as a wicketkeeper or stand-in captain. Despite this constant shifting, he’s adapted. During the Australia Test series, he opened in Rohit Sharma’s absence and later shifted down the order without complaint. In the Champions Trophy, he kept wickets and batted down the order — even after Axar Patel.
Now in IPL 2025, Rahul is playing under the younger Axar Patel at Delhi Capitals. Yet, he remains the team’s backbone. He mentors players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kuldeep Yadav, and has quietly become the guiding force.
His moment of redemption came against his old team, LSG. After guiding DC to a win, he gave a cold handshake to LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka — a quiet response to last year’s public scolding. The internet erupted in support. That silent snub earned him a wave of public admiration.
KL Rahul may not shout for attention, but in 2025, his actions are speaking louder than ever. Once compared to Dravid, he now stands on his own — respected, reliable, and finally recognised.
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