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'Had One Of Us Played Little Longer': KL Rahul Reflects On Heart-Breaking IPL 2016 Final

Jatin

KL Rahul reminisced on RCB’s IPL 2016 loss [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]KL Rahul reminisced on RCB’s IPL 2016 loss [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

It’s been years since that unforgettable night in 2016, but for KL Rahul, the memory of the IPL final at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium still stings. Speaking to Star Sports recently, Rahul opened up about the nail-biting match that slipped through Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fingers, saying he and Virat Kohli have relived it countless times.

KL Rahul Opens Up On RCB’s Near-Miss in 2016 IPL Final

"Virat Kohli and I have discussed the 2016 IPL Final so many times. Had one of us played a little longer, we would have won the IPL. It was a very special year. It would've been a fairytale ending at the Chinnaswamy, but unfortunately that didn't happen," said Rahul.

RCB Let The Title Slip From Their Hands

The IPL 2016 final saw RCB come so close to glory, only to see the dream fade right at the end. Chasing 209 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, RCB started with a bang. Kohli, having one of the most magical seasons ever, looked ready to pull off another special.

Chris Gayle was on fire, and with the crowd behind them, RCB seemed in total control. But cricket’s funny like that – one moment you’re on top, the next it’s all gone.


Kohli and Gayle put RCB in a position of strength with a blistering start. But just when things were looking rosy, Sunrisers found their way back. Gayle (76) got out after playing a sensational knock, and soon after, Virat Kohli (54) was on his way to the pavillion.

From there, things went downhill quickly. Wickets kept tumbling, runs were hard to come by, and the once-unstoppable chase hit a wall. RCB fell short by 8 runs and what could have been a fairytale at Chinnaswamy turned into a massive heartbreak.

KL Rahul’s Breakout Season

The 2016 season wasn’t just special for Kohli, it was a breakout year for KL Rahul too. He wasn’t just filling in the gaps. He was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with giants like Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Shane Watson.

Rahul’s 397 runs came at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 146.97. Only three players scored faster that year, which was no small feat in a lineup full of power hitters.

Will Rahul Return To RCB?

Now, with the IPL 2025 mega auction approaching rapidly, there are strong reports that the local boy might return to RCB. Fans are already dreaming of seeing him back in red and black, hoping for another shot at the coveted IPL title.

That 2016 final may be an excruciatingly painful memory, but who knows? A return to RCB could be the perfect shot at redemption. Fans will be eager to see what’s next for KL Rahul in the IPL.