India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul relives his unimaginable 14-ball fifty, he scored within the 2018 IPL whereas enjoying for Punjab Kings (erstwhile Kings XI Punjab) and known as it the perfect T20 yr of his profession. KL Rahul, who was acquired by Punjab for Rs 11 crore within the public sale for IPL 2028, scored a match-winning 51 off 14 balls towards Delhi Capitals, the match’s quickest half century on the time, in his second match for the franchise as Punjab Kings snapped 64 runs in 5 overs of their chase of 167.
“I had simply debuted in T20Is for India and scored that 100 in Miami towards the West Indies, so I had some latest T20 runs and confidence behind me. It was a brand new franchise, and I used to be excited, particularly after the excessive price ticket they paid, which I hadn’t anticipated. That season got here with stress, being a brand new crew and all, however my thoughts was clear at the moment.
Rahu led the PBKS run charts with over 650 runs with six half-centuries that included a number of innings within the 90s. Along with Chris Gayle, Rahul fashioned a potent opening mixture that took the assault to the opposition and he loved the liberty given to him on the high of the batting order.
“I used to be assured in my recreation, knew what I needed to do, and saved it easy. 2018 was in all probability the perfect T20 yr for me. Expectations have been largely from Kings XI Punjab as a result of excessive price ticket, however past that, I used to be free to play my recreation, with out feeling like I needed to take accountability. That allowed me to play with freedom, and whereas it was an amazing yr personally, as a crew, we struggled,” Rahul mentioned on Star Sports activities.
He additional opened up concerning the memorable moments that formed his journey from early struggles to embracing his distinctive recreation, impressed by legends like Rahul Dravid and Kane Williamson.
“I feel I grew as a person and as a participant. As a teenager, I attempted actually onerous to be somebody I wasn’t, attempting to hit massive sixes to show I may. It simply wasn’t coming naturally. What modified for me was watching Rahul Dravid in one of many IPL seasons round 2011 or 2012. He stayed true to his method, and he was top-of-the-line batsmen. Seeing him do effectively in one-day and T20 cricket with out altering his recreation modified one thing in me.
The Karnataka batter was picked up by RCB in 2013 for Rs 10 Lakh and the next yr Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired the companies of the wicket-keeper batter for Rs 1 crore. “I additionally frolicked with Kane Williamson at SRH. He did not get many possibilities, however he’d nonetheless return and play wonderful white-ball innings for New Zealand. Watching Dravid and Williamson, I realised I did not must strive so onerous. I had sure items I may use in T20 cricket to search out success.
“As soon as I embraced that mindset, issues clicked for me. Within the 2016 IPL, I had Virat and AB’s guidance-the greatest T20 gamers round. Simply speaking to them at coaching about my recreation made a distinction. As soon as the performances began coming, the arrogance adopted,” he mentioned.
The 32-year-old batter has 4683 IPL runs in 132 video games, together with 37 half-centuries and 4 centuries.
Notably, within the IPL 2025 retention day, LSG let go of their captain Rahul, thus ending their three-year affiliation with the right-handed batter. As an alternative of him, Pooran is their greatest retention at Rs 21 crore, adopted by Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav at Rs 11 crore every, earlier than Badoni and Mohsin Khan have been retained at Rs 4 crore, respectively.
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