Former India cricketer and Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani lauded KL Rahul for his dedication, highlighting how he joined the Indian group in England early regardless of not too long ago embracing fatherhood. Rahul, who’s the senior-most batter within the present Check group after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement, arrived in England early earlier than the remainder of the squad and performed an India A sport to prepare for red-ball cricket after the completion of IPL 2025. The elegant right-hander backed up his early arrival in England with a superb century within the second innings of the primary Check, justifying his resolution and underlining his dedication to the group.
Badani was totally impressed with Rahul’s willpower, noting that regardless of changing into a father in March, he selected to not take a break. As an alternative, Rahul performed the complete IPL season for his franchise after which headed straight to England for nationwide obligation.
“I actually appreciated the truth that he was somebody who stated, ‘I wish to go to England early. I wish to play the facet sport.’ Neglect concerning the hundred he acquired — that got here later. The intent — that’s what issues. The intent to be there early, to be ready, to be with the facet. Let’s not neglect, he’s a younger father, and I don’t assume his youngster is travelling with him initially. So for him to say, ‘Nation over my youngster’ — that’s an enormous name,” Badani instructed Occasions of India.
The DC coach stated that Rahul, being the senior participant, may have prevented going to England for the India A sport, however he confirmed nice dedication and did not make any excuses for that.
“He may’ve simply stated, ‘I am not taking part in the facet sport anyway, I’ll simply go straight to the Check match.’ However he didn’t,” he added.
‘KL Rahul has performed the senior-most batter position very well’
A second-innings century within the opening Check didn’t simply put India in command at a vital juncture; it reaffirmed Rahul’s place because the pillar of India’s new-age batting order after the retirements of Rohit and Kohli.
In a transitional section for Indian cricket, the place youthful gamers are discovering their footing and management is shifting fingers, Badani acknowledged that Rahul displayed nice dedication and lived as much as the position of senior participant within the facet.
“KL made an announcement I bear in mind forward of the Check collection: ‘I look after this group, and I wish to be right here.’ He wished to go to England. I may see the starvation in his eyes and in his phrases. Within the absence of Rohit and Virat, he turns into the senior-most batter — and he has performed that position very well,” stated Badani.
