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IPL 2019: ‘It was unbelievable’ - KL Rahul recollects the innings that changed his game
Interestingly, Rahul wasn’t talking about any of his own innings but of a certain Kiwi great who set the tone of the IPL in the first season itself.
Kings XI Punjab opener will look to recreate the form of last season in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting Saturday. His exploits at the top of the order ensured KXIP were in the hunt for a play-offs place till the very end.
Rahul — who scored 659 runs in 14 innings last term — recently revealed the knock which he claims that changed his life forever. Interestingly, Rahul wasn’t talking about any of his own innings but of a certain Kiwi great who set the tone of the IPL in the first season itself.
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Rahul revealed that he was in the stands as a 16-year-old when Kolkata Knight Riders’ Brendon McCullum slammed an incredible 158 (73) against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first-ever match of the IPL in 2008.
McCullum’s outrageous innings included 10 fours and 13 huge sixes and his innings was responsible for KKR winning the first IPL match by a stunning margin of 140-run. Rahul feels that watching that innings from close quarters helped in changing his game for the good.
“For us as youngsters, it was unbelievable. After that is when I started practising hitting sixes, reverse sweeps and scoop shots. That is one of my first IPL memories and one of my favourites,” Rahul told Red Bull.
“I was in the stadium as a 16-year-old boy watching the game. Brendon McCullum got a 158 with the kind of batting that we had never ever seen or witnessed before. Obviously, the flavour and madness of T20 began with the 2008 IPL season.”
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Rahul will be looking to set the stage alight this season as well in order to stake a claim for a spot in the Indian squad for the World Cup. Once considered a certainty for the tournament, Rahul is now battling with several others to ensure he is on the flight to England in a couple of months.
The fact that India is yet to find a number 4 works for him and a bagful of runs could help the Bengaluru boy steal a march over the other contenders.
