In a heartfelt tribute, India’s star batter KL Rahul recently lauded the legendary Rahul Dravid, calling him “one of the best batsmen” he has ever seen. Speaking in an exclusive interview on Star Sports, Rahul shared how watching Dravid’s career influenced his own approach to the game
SOURCE : ZEE
Rahul revealed that early in his career, he tried hard to prove his big-hitting prowess, but it wasn’t coming naturally. He said, “I think I grew as an individual and as a player. As a youngster, I tried really hard to be someone I wasn’t, trying to hit big sixes to prove I could. It just wasn’t coming naturally”
Source:- bbc news
What changed for Rahul was watching Dravid play during the IPL seasons around 2011 or 2012. Dravid stayed true to his technique and excelled in one-day and T20 cricket without changing his game. “Seeing him do well in one-day and T20 cricket without changing his game changed something in me,” Rahul added.
Rahul also spent time with Kane Williamson at Sunrisers Hyderabad, another player who succeeded by staying true to his natural game. “I also spent time with Kane Williamson at SRH1. He didn’t get many chances, but he’d still go back and play amazing white-ball innings for New Zealand. Watching Dravid and Williamson, I realized I didn’t need to try so hard. I had certain gifts I could use in T20 cricket to find success.”
Rahul began his IPL career at Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013, spent two seasons at Sunrisers Hyderabad, and returned to RCB in 2016. Playing alongside Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers boosted his confidence. “Once I embraced that mindset, things clicked for me. In the 2016 IPL, I had Virat and AB’s guidance—the best T20 players around1. Just talking to them at training about my game made a difference. Once the performances started coming, the confidence followed”
In the 2018 season, Rahul scored a 14-ball fifty for Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab), who had shelled out ₹11 crore for him. “I had just debuted in T20Is for India and scored that 100 in Miami against the West Indies, so I had some recent T20 runs and confidence behind me. It was a new franchise, and I was excited, especially after the high price tag they paid, which I hadn’t expected”
Rahul’s admiration for Dravid is a testament to the impact the former India captain has had on generations of cricketers. Dravid’s legacy continues to inspire young players to stay true to their natural game and strive for excellence
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