KL Rahul’s career could be pictured as a constant battle against inopportune moments, embodying the very essence of the word. Since making his international debut in 2014 at 32, this determined India batter quickly showed promise, hinting at a star in the making with his early performances on the global stage.
His path, however, was marked not only by challenges encountered during matches but also by controversies off the field, often through no fault of his own. Unlike many cricket personalities known for their outspoken nature, Rahul maintained a more cautious demeanour. Despite this, he frequently found himself in difficult situations. An example of the challenges he faced includes Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) coach Justin Langer sharing Rahul’s insights on the immense politics and pressure within the Indian team.
Leading the LSG in the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rahul, despite being the top scorer for his team, faced criticism from the team owner Sanjiv Goenka, a moment he’d likely prefer to forget. His leadership often seemed to be in vain, as support from the team was lacking, highlighting the misfortune that seemed to follow him. This wasn’t the first time Rahul faced criticism for situations not entirely in his control.
About five years prior, an appearance on a chat show with Hardik Pandya led to controversy over sexist comments, although Rahul had been cautious with his words. Unfortunately, Pandya’s actions resulted in both players being suspended from a tour in New Zealand in 2019. Despite this setback, Rahul redeemed himself at the World Cup the same year, becoming the third-highest run scorer for India. While his Test career wavered, his performances in limited-overs cricket secured his spot in T20Is and ODIs. However, a series of injuries between 2021 and 2023 disrupted his momentum.
Rahul faced multiple injuries, including a wrist strain during the 2021 test series against Australia, surgery for acute appendicitis during the IPL, and a thigh strain that kept him out of a series against New Zealand. In 2022, another injury prevented him from leading in a T20I series against South Africa, and a severe thigh injury later cost him a place in the World Test Championship final.
Despite the adversities, Rahul’s resilience has been evident, though his luck has often not been in his favour. From facing criticism from fans to struggling to prove himself during recovery, Rahul’s journey has been fraught with challenges, usually placing him in unfavourable circumstances despite his undeniable talent.