NEW DELHI: India are set to lock horns with New Zealand within the first Check of the three-match sequence, beginning Wednesday on the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
With six consecutive Check victories underneath their belt, India now purpose to increase their successful streak towards the Tom Latham-led New Zealand facet, who will certainly miss the providers of star batter Kane Williamson.
For Indian batter KL Rahul, nevertheless, this Check match holds private significance because it marks a homecoming to the town the place he first nurtured his cricketing goals.
In an interview with BCCI TV, Rahul opened up concerning the emotional connection he has with the Bengaluru floor, recalling the journey that started in his childhood.
“Yeah, it is all the time particular for me to return again right here,” Rahul stated. “That is the place I grew up, performed all my cricket. The primary sport I performed right here was once I was eleven and a half years outdated. I’m 32 now, so so much has modified. However the feeling for me as an eleven yr outdated boy who got here right here first time, performed a sport, that feeling for me hasn’t modified. I nonetheless do not forget that feeling so a few years later as nicely.”
Rahul described the overwhelming flood of recollections that come dashing in at any time when he steps onto the sphere at Chinnaswamy. “From the time you allow the dressing room and stroll to the center, so many feelings hit you. It’s like an entire three-hour film performs in your thoughts – from my early cricketing days at U13s, U15s, U19s, to Ranji Trophy and IPL matches, and at last, representing India internationally. It offers me goosebumps.”
He additionally fondly reminisced about his time within the clubhouse canteen, the place breakfast routines turned a cherished custom. “From age-group cricket to Ranji Trophy, we’d have breakfast on the canteen, end coaching, and return for lunch,” Rahul recalled. “I have never been there within the final yr or so. I do not know if that place has modified now. But it surely was actually scrumptious and our morning began actually good with dosa and occasional.”
Rahul, who made his Check debut towards Australia in 2014, has garnered 2969 runs in 52 Assessments, averaging 34.52. In 2024, he has featured in 4 Assessments, scoring 222 runs at a median of 44.40, with two fifties.
Rahul additionally displayed his kind within the Duleep Trophy, scoring 37 and 57 for India A. With one eye on the upcoming Australia tour, Rahul might be desperate to show his mettle and cement his spot within the workforce’s beginning eleven for the Border–Gavaskar Trophy.
