The Indian Batter KL Rahul has opened up on social media criticism after smashing a ton against South Africa.
KL Rahul addresses Criticism after SA ton
The Key batter KL Rahul reacts and answers to the criticisms that hit the batter for his lack of form and aggression at times, particularly in shorter formats.
The batter KL Rahul was lauded for his efforts in the South Africa Test where he snatched his eighth Test Century. He became the player to score multiple test centuries overseas.
Virat Kohli scored the next-best runs for the visitors, who were bowled out in the first session of day two. He was sent out with 38 runs and was sent out by Rabada. Kagiso Rabada bagged a five-wicket haul during the first innings while Nandre Burger dismissed three batters.
While speaking after the play on day two KL Rahul Responded to questions on his criticisms of his game saying,
“As a person, as a cricketer, as an individual, you are challenged each day, each moment. Social media is a pressure.
“Today I have scored a hundred so people are singing praises. Three, or four months ago, everybody was abusing me. It’s part of the game, but I can’t say it doesn’t affect you. It does.
“The sooner you realize that staying away from it is good for your game and your mindset the better it is.”
Rahul moved things along for the visitors, with a strike rate of 73.72. Rahul admitted that it was a good time to apply things he had worked on the field away from the middle, particularly when injured for the middle part of 2023.
“Each person has to find their way, and for me, when I was injured and was away from the game for such a long time, I worked on myself.
“I tried to go back to the person that I am and worked on how I don’t change myself by getting affected by these things. It is difficult to remain true to yourself and true to your personality with so much happening. It is the hardest thing.
“You have your own personality, personality traits, characteristics. When you play international cricket, they all get challenged.
“It does affect each person. And anyone who says that doesn’t affect them at all, I’m sure is lying.
“You can perform or you can be in a better mindset if you slightly know where to draw the line. Nobody’s that great that they can completely avoid what has been said and the criticism they’re getting.”
On the other hand, Captain Temba Bavuma is yet to bat, and there are doubts as he sustained a hamstring injury on the field.
However, Elgar who is set to make his retirement after the completion of India’s South Africa tour.
“That partnership with myself and Tony was pretty important. The ball was going around, Bumrah was swinging it both ways and Tony did bloody well to get through it.
“I want to go out with a bang and try and win a Test match and the series. I don’t have anything to lose. Whether I fail or not, it is still coming to an end.”
On the other side, Rahul believes his team can spoil the first Test of Elgar’s retirement if the bowlers can hit their line early.
“(We’re) not going to think too far (ahead). Focus on the first session tomorrow.
“I think it’s important to come and bowl in the right areas. We saw there’s still a bit of help in the wicket. Try and get them out as soon as possible, and then we put some runs on board.
“We just focus on the first session and take it from there and we’ll have to see how the wicket plays as well. It’s getting easier to bat on, so it’s important firstly to get those five wickets that are left and then put the big runs on board and then see where the game is.”
After the dismissal of David Bedingham for 56 runs, Kyle Verreynne was dismissed for four runs. South Africa scored 249 runs by the dismissal of Kyle Verreynne.
