• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Not Virat Kohli Kl Rahul Names This Rcb Legend As His Biggest Inspiration

Not Virat Kohli! KL Rahul Names This RCB Legend As His Biggest Inspiration

KL Rahul with Kohli & de Villiers during IPL (x.com)KL Rahul with Kohli & de Villiers during IPL (x.com)

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul has identified legendary cricketer AB de Villiers as his most inspirational figure on the cricket field.

Like many of his contemporaries, Rahul holds deep admiration for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) icon. He first encountered the former Proteas captain during the 2012 and 2013 seasons when Rahul, then 20 years old, had just returned from representing India in the Under-19 World Cup.

During that time, de Villiers was at the pinnacle of his career, excelling in both ODI and Test cricket. Rahul has often recounted how ABD's performances and approach to the game served as a source of inspiration for him. 

In a candid chat with Star Sports, Rahul said, "I respect my father, but on the cricket field, AB de Villiers has been my biggest inspiration."

Rahul's recent on-field appearance was during the Test series opener against England in Hyderabad. Unfortunately, he suffered a right quadriceps injury following the match, forcing him to sit out the subsequent fixtures.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provided updates on Rahul's condition, revealing ongoing monitoring by the medical team with consultation from specialists based in London.

Now, Rahul shoulders the responsibility of leading LSG once more. Alongside talented players like Deepak Hooda, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi and new recruit Devdutt Padikkal, skipper Rahul will be looking to anchor the team's batting lineup and guide LSG to a trophy win in the upcoming season.

His consistent performances in previous IPL seasons, including scoring 616 runs in 2022 and 273 runs in 2023, underscore his role as both a leader and a dependable run-scorer for the Lucknow-based franchise.

With the bat and gloves in hand, Rahul will be keen to make a strong impression on the Indian team selectors ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup scheduled for June in the West Indies and USA.