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Calm KL Rahul excels in adaptability as finisher, gets desired success in Champions Trophy

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1 week ago

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New Delhi, March 12: Oscillatory motion is characterised by the repetitive back-and-forth movement of an object about a fixed point, as exemplified by a clock pendulum. In a competition to find the most oscillatory player in the Indian team, KL Rahul would end up as the unanimous choice.

Rahul’s masterful cover drives and effortless flicks off his wrists, when at his best, are simply poetry in motion. But it isn’t easy being Rahul – the ups and downs in his batting positions have been challenging, similar to a pendulum’s back-and-forth movement.

Rahul’s success in finishing matches for India during their 2025 Champions Trophy triumph exemplifies this. Rahul faced a new ODI challenge when he was moved to the sixth spot, the finisher’s position after Axar Patel took his usual number five slot. Add to it, in the ODI series against England, there were always questions over why Rahul was preferred ahead of Rishabh Pant.

Rahul’s success in that role for India in the Champions Trophy was marked by his calm, humble, and proactive adaptability—qualities that have become second nature to him. While his 136 tournament runs may seem insignificant, they don’t tell the whole story of his vital role in India’s lower middle order.

“He didn’t complain whenever he was sent down the batting order. He used to ask me how I could be better and why should I play in that way. See, whenever he goes to bat at number six, or seven, it is hardly a few balls. He has always opened the batting, wherever he played.”

“So the change of the mindset and adapting to the situation, it is all new. He has played different roles, but this role was different and he started working for it. The planning and preparation was good, so that is how he could play well. He understood his role, and if you watched the final, when the left-arm spinners were bowling, he would easily take the singles between point, cover and extra cover.”

“His planning was good, and he planned it in a way that ‘Yes, I have to do that. I have to cross the line and win match for the country’. Except for that little bit of misunderstanding in running between the wickets with Axar, where he was a little hesitant, he otherwise played beautifully.”

“It was like a symphony – he was playing and that grace was there in running, and hitting the ball. So, it was very natural for him, and I will tell you, that patience and calmness is God’s gift for him,” said Samuel Jayaraj, KL Rahul’s childhood coach.

Similar to his renowned namesake from Bengaluru, who thrived in diverse roles in the ODI set-up, including wicketkeeping, Rahul has proven to be equally adaptable. “It is fantastic to see a player to go down anywhere and play. I think this name Rahul – they will fit in anywhere they play. The senior Rahul also did that for the country, and now this boy also is doing it.

“He enjoys doing it, not even one day there was no loose talk or any complaint – nothing. He said, ‘Sir, I enjoy it’. We never discussed on the points like where here is going to do the batting. He would also say, ‘I have to be ready. I am going to count the number of balls left and I have got a plan like this’,” added Jayaraj.

India’s Champions Trophy win over Bangladesh, Australia, and New Zealand coming via chases were significantly aided by Rahul’s adaptability and taking charge in a tricky situation. His vital scores of 41, 42 not out, and 34 not out on the slow Dubai wickets were worth its weight in gold in guiding India to success under pressure. Rahul’s success in those three chases, according to Jayaraj, stemmed from his smart strategic preparation.

“If you are playing against a left-arm spinner, you practice for facing that in a game. If you are playing against a leg-spinner, you prepare to play for that. These are all things that everybody does. In present day cricket, there is no wasting time. Every second is very, very important when you practice.

“See, he has matured, and for me, he is very intelligent too. He is always a very thoughtful cricketer. So, it became easy for him, and he had that willingness in him to perform, win and finish matches. Plus, a very important thing was in his mind – on how he could play better.

“Comparatively, I think Virat, Shubman Gill, and Rohit played very well, but they were playing in different matches. When it comes to Rahul, he didn’t bat against Pakistan, and in the rest of the matches, he got runs for us.

“Against Australia also, he had that patience of playing long and waiting for the loose ball. We all say we work very hard and all, but I think he has worked smarter and harder this time,” he elaborated.

Rahul’s cricketing career summary wouldn’t be complete without mentioning India’s loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. Rahul scored a 66 in the final, the slowest half-century for India in the tournament, and faced significant social media criticism as a result.

He later recounted in a YouTube chat with Ravichandran Ashwin about his uncertainty on the timing of taking down Mitchell Starc. But winning the Champions Trophy on March 9 could now comfort Rahul, a perspective Jayaraj supports.

“When we lost to Australia in the World Cup final, I think he took all the blame saying I should not have got out, that was a wrong timing, and I played a bad shot. That’s how an awakening call comes, and you get better from there. You start thinking, why it happened? How can I overcome it? So, all these thoughts were there.

“But he’s now got a trophy for the country, and it’s a very proud moment. When you lose a wicket in your match, then you start thinking, yes, I have to be a better player, my batting has to improve and I have to play more balls, as well as take the soft-handed singles, which he did in the final. It’s more about how well he built his innings, and even against Australia, he didn’t panic as there was so much of calmness,” he added.

Jayaraj also praised captain Rohit Sharma and the team management for supporting Rahul’s success in a new position. “The planning of the coaches was beautiful – they set the things correctly. If you ask me, I will give all my hats off to the coaches who have planned that.

“They wanted somebody to hold the innings there, and they believed in KL. They didn’t change when they could have sent KL up and would have asked Axar to come there. They didn’t do that as they believed in their set plan to go with that batting order.

“There was a lot of talking and understanding between the senior players and coaches. It gives you a lot of confidence as the team, captain, coach, management and selectors believe yes he will do it, and it was on purpose. I feel very proud now because he is doing lower middle order now,” he said.

Although the cricketing world is currently captivated by Rahul’s adaptable and cool-headed batting style in the Champions Trophy triumph, Jayaraj observed the tournament showcased the real Rahul – evoking memories of the time he saw him as a calm, disciplined, and obedient boy who was enthusiastic about batting.

“Everybody told me that against Australia, he played a fantastic game and I said, yes. I had gone out with my family for lunch on Sunday afternoon when somebody came and said, ‘Rahul has to play’. I said, ‘he has to perform’. I mean, it is his job, and if you start enjoying your job, and if you are happy there, you will perform.

“Whenever he batted in this Champions Trophy, I saw the real Rahul – when he was in his younger days – that focus, and batting grace. I have seen a lot of matches of his younger days, and really enjoyed seeing it. Even against Australia, he played very well. It was more of a mature innings in the final.”

“For me, he is always blessed, a good cricketer, and a good human being who enjoys his cricket. His humbleness and calmness are two of his great things, and I keep on telling him that. I could make out from his face that he enjoyed playing to his role, and that he was very, very happy in that phase, right from planning to preparation. He deserves all of this for the hard work and 10 years of good cricket he has played at the highest level,” he signed off.

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BCCI announces cash reward of Rs 58 cr for Champions Trophy-winning Indian team

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15 hours ago

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March 20, 2025

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Mumbai, March 20: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a cash reward of Rs 58 crore for Team India after their triumph at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to honour the players, coaching and support staff and members of the selection committee.

India registered a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the summit clash to lift their third Champions Trophy title on March 9. This was India’s second ICC silverware in less than nine months after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup title by beating South Africa in the final in Bridgetown.

Roger Binny, President, BCCI, “Winning back-to-back ICC titles is special and this reward recognises Team India’s dedication and excellence on the global stage. The cash award is a recognition of the hard work that everyone puts in behind the scenes. This was also our second ICC Trophy in 2025, following the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup triumph, and it highlights the strong cricketing ecosystem in place in our country.”

Rohit Sharma and Co. dominated the tournament, registering four commanding victories en route to lifting the trophy. They began their campaign with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh, then secured a convincing six-wicket triumph against Pakistan. They continued their momentum with a 44-run victory over New Zealand before ultimately overcoming Australia by four wickets in the semifinal.

Devajit Saikia, BCCI secretary, added, “The BCCI is proud to honour the players and support staff with this well-deserved reward. Their dominance in world cricket is a result of years of hard work and strategic execution. This victory has justified India’s top ranking in white-ball cricket, and we are sure the team will continue to excel in the years to come. The dedication and commitment shown by the players have set a new benchmark, and we are confident that Indian cricket will keep raising the bar on the global stage.”

India also became the first country to win the Champions Trophy for a record third time in the eight-team tournament’s history.

Rajeev Shukla, BCCI vice-president, said, “This cash reward is a tribute to the outstanding performances delivered by the team throughout the tournament. The players exhibited remarkable composure under pressure, and their success is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers across the country. The team has once again proved that Indian cricket is built on a strong foundation of skill, mental toughness, and a winning mentality.”

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Bombay HC waives cooling-off period in divorce proceedings between Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma

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March 19, 2025

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Mumbai, March 19: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday allowed an application filed by cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his choreographer wife Dhanashree Verma seeking waiver of the cooling-off period in their ongoing mutual consent divorce proceedings.

A bench of Justice Madhav Jamdar directed the family court to decide the divorce petition on Thursday considering Chahal’s participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The leg-spinner was picked by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for Rs 18 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.

The bench took note of the fact that the parties had been living apart for over two and a half years and had duly complied with the consent terms regarding the payment of alimony arrived at during the mediation process.

Under Hindu law, if the husband and wife have been living separately for one year or more, they may apply to obtain a decree of divorce by mutual consent. However, under Section 13B(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act, a statutory cooling-off period of at least 6 months from the date of presentation of the divorce petition is provided, to explore possibilities of settlement and reunion between the couple.

The Supreme Court, in a landmark verdict in 2017, held that the 6-month cooling-off period is not mandatory, and the court may waive the condition if it is satisfied that there exists no possibility of parties resuming cohabitation.

Dhanashree and Chahal got engaged in 2020 and got married in December of the same year in a private ceremony in Gurugram.

The 28-year-old dancer, Dhanashree is known for her fusion dance performances that blend traditional Indian dance forms with contemporary styles. Recently, Chahal was spotted amongst the spectators sitting next to social media star RJ Mahvash during the Champions Trophy Final. However, this was not the first time the two have been linked together. Last year, in December, a picture of RJ Mahvash with the cricketer from a Christmas celebration went viral.

The social media star then took to Instagram to set the record straight. In a note, she wrote: “Some articles and speculations have been circulating around the Internet. It’s literally funny to see how baseless these rumours are. If you get seen with a person of the opposite gender, does that mean you are dating them? I’m sorry, what year is this? And how many people are you all dating then?”

“I have been patient for 2-3 days now, but I won’t let any PR teams drag my name into this to cover up other people’s images. Let people live in peace with their friends and family during tough times.”

Chahal’s IPL journey, spanning over 160 matches, has been nothing short of remarkable. With 205 wickets to his name, he is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, having surpassed Dwayne Bravo’s record of 183 wickets during the 2023 season. His career average of 22.44 and an economy rate of 7.8 underline his ability to combine wicket-taking prowess with miserly spells, a rare feat in the T20 format.

Chahal’s crowning moment came in 2022 when he donned the Purple Cap for Rajasthan Royals (RR), scalping a phenomenal 27 wickets in the season. During the 2024 edition, Chahal became the first bowler in IPL history to breach the 200-wicket milestone. His IPL tally includes six four-wicket hauls, one five-wicket haul, and a hat-trick. Between 2014 and 2021, Chahal was Royal Challengers Bangalore’s go-to spinner. In 113 matches for the franchise, he scalped 139 wickets, a record that still stands as the highest for any bowler in its colours. Despite his dominance, RCB made the surprising decision not to retain him ahead of the 2022 mega auction. Chahal’s resurgence post-RCB was nothing short of spectacular. Representing RR in the last three seasons, he claimed 66 wickets, underlining his consistent impact.

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IPL 2025: T20’s pace has reached a point where we could score 300, says Gill

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March 19, 2025

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New Delhi, March 19: Ahead of the start of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gujarat Titans’ skipper Shubman Gill believes the pace of the game has reached a point where a score of 300 is a possibility for a batting team to achieve in the match.

IPL 2024 was a season where batting records touched new highs, like Punjab Kings chasing down 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders or Sunrisers Hyderabad posting the tournament’s highest total of 287/3 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as well as making 125/0, the highest-ever power-play score in the competition against Delhi Capitals.

“The pace of the game has reached a point where it feels like we could score 300 in a match. Last year, we came very close on a few occasions. The Impact Player rule adds excitement and makes the IPL even more entertaining. One of the best aspects of the IPL is that every day, a new player emerges as a star.

“You constantly witness underrated talents delivering exceptional performances. The tournament’s structure, with frequent matches and travel, keeps players engaged. If you’re winning, the momentum carries you forward, with three, four, or even five consecutive victories. However, injuries can make things difficult.

“When one or two key players are injured, finding suitable replacements becomes a challenge. Despite these hurdles, IPL remains the most thrilling cricketing event, and every season brings something new for players and fans alike,” said Gill to JioHotstar.

Gill, who was the vice-captain in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy triumph, recalled his early memories of watching the IPL and his admiration for and meeting with Sachin Tendulkar, who played for the Mumbai Indians.

“I remember attending three to four matches with my father at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula. In the second or third year of the IPL, Mumbai Indians came there for practice. I was around nine or ten years old at the time. I even have a photo with Sachin Sir and Glenn Maxwell.

“I was throwing balls to them during their practice. These are some of my earliest memories of the IPL. I was extremely nervous, but I already knew about Sachin Sir. He was the reason I started playing cricket. My father is his biggest fan. Though my dad never had much interest in posters, we had Sachin’s posters in our village.”

GT will open their campaign against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and Gill talked about the strengths of his team, who won the IPL in their competition debut in 2022.

“We have a strong fast-bowling attack. Rashid has been with us, and we have explosive batters like Rutherford, Philips, and Butler. Some talented Indian players like Mahipal and Sai add depth to our squad. The key to success in a long tournament like the IPL is maintaining balance.

“Losing two or three matches in a row isn’t a major concern if you are playing the right way and making smart decisions. Consistency in team selection and strategy is important. The more you play based on probability and logic, the better your chances of qualifying.

“Once you reach the knockout stage, being aggressive and positive is crucial. In all the qualifiers and finals I’ve played, I’ve seen that teams with the right intent have the best chance of winning,” he concluded.

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