IPL 2024 | 'Injuries Became My Best Friend' - KL Rahul Upon IPL Return

KL Rahul returned after long injury layoff to lead LSG in IPL 2024 (X.com)KL Rahul returned after long injury layoff to lead LSG in IPL 2024 (X.com)

KL Rahul is back to lead Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing IPL 2024 season after a long injury layoff that sidelined him from the England Test series. Upon return, Rahul candidly reflected on his journey back from injury, revealing how adversity transformed his perspective and resilience.

Indian wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul was ruled out of the five-game Test series against England, citing a quadriceps injury. He spent a whole month recovering from the setback, and just days prior to the commencement of the new IPL edition, Rahul received a fitness clearance from NCA.

After a couple of months of injury layoff, KL Rahul stepped on the field for the first time to face Rajasthan Royals in their season's inaugural game.

At the toss, KL Rahul reflected on his road to recovery by saying how injuries have become his best friend in these past couple of years. It is not easy to bounce back and then again go down with some concern. But that's part and parcel of an athlete's life.

However, Rahul is trying to stay positive and remarked that injury setbacks only make him hungry to strive for excellence.

"I'm happy to be back on the field, injury has become my best friend over the last couple of years, but it makes you hungry and perform much better when you're back," Rahul said at toss before match against the Royals.

KL Rahul has indeed had a tough time staying healthy in the last couple of years. Prior to the quadriceps injury, he was ruled out of the initial few matches of the Asia Cup with a tender tear. 

Not only that but during the last IPL season, he suffered a thigh muscle strain while chasing a ball, which ruled him out of not only the IPL 2023 season but also the World Test Championship final and the West Indies and Ireland tours.