Indian cricketer KL Rahul has recently opened up about an incident that left a lasting impact on his life and career. The middle-order batter, known for his calm demeanor and consistent performances, revealed that his suspension from the Indian cricket team following a controversial episode of the talk show “Koffee With Karan” in 2019 “scarred him massively”
SOURCE : ZEE
In January 2019, KL Rahul and fellow cricketer Hardik Pandya appeared on the popular Indian talk show “Koffee With Karan,” hosted by Bollywood director Karan Johar. The episode quickly became infamous due to the controversial and misogynistic comments made by Pandya, which led to a public outcry Both players were subsequently suspended from the Indian cricket team and fined ₹20 lakh each
Source:- news 18
Reflecting on the incident, Rahul shared, “The [Koffee With Karan] interview was a different world altogether. That changed me. I was a very shy, soft-spoken boy growing up. And then I played for India, and for the next three-four years, I became very confident. I had no problem being in a huge group of people. People would know I have been in a room with 100 people because I would talk to everyone”
The suspension was a significant blow to Rahul, who had never faced such disciplinary action before. “Getting suspended from the team… I have never been suspended in school, never been punished. It just never happened to know how to handle it,” he admitted The incident not only affected his professional life but also had a profound impact on his personal life and mental health
Rahul revealed that the suspension and the subsequent media scrutiny changed his personality. “Now I do not [talk to everyone], because the interview scarred me massively,” he said. The cricketer also opened up about the online trolling and hate he received during this period, which further exacerbated his struggles. “I used to be good with [handling] trolling. I did not care, but I feel I was much younger back then. And then, a couple of years back, I was exposed to a lot of trolling. If I sat, I got trolled, if I stood, I got trolled,” he explained
Despite the challenges, KL Rahul has managed to bounce back and continue his cricketing career. His last international appearance was during the ODI series against Sri Lanka, where he scored 31 runs in two innings Rahul also had a successful run in the ICC Cricket World Cup last year, scoring 452 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.33, with a century and two fifties However, he faced criticism for his knock of 66 in 107 balls during the final against Australia, which India lost by six wickets
In this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Rahul finished among the top 10 run-getters, with 520 runs in 14 matches at an average of 37.14, including four fifties Despite his impressive performance, he attracted some criticism for his strike rate of 136.12, which was lower compared to other top players
KL Rahul’s candid revelations about the “Koffee With Karan” controversy highlight the immense pressure and scrutiny faced by public figures, especially athletes. His journey of overcoming personal and professional setbacks serves as an inspiration to many. As Rahul continues to represent India on the international stage, his resilience and determination remain a testament to his character and dedication to the sport.
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