'Country over my child': KL Rahul's first words before England Tests

Time of India

6 hours ago

India's KL Rahul walks off the field (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
NEW DELHI: A new father, cradling a one-and-a-half-month-old baby in his arms — most would drop everything to soak in that joy, cherish every moment, play with the little one, and hold on to every giggle and sound.
But
KL Rahul
chose a different path.
'Country first, Hemang bhai. I care for this team,' — those were the first words he said to his Delhi Capitals coach
Hemang Badani
as he returned to training for IPL 2025.
For KL Rahul, there was one clear target: the England Test series.
A lot was new for him — a new
IPL
franchise in Delhi Capitals, search for a new batting role, and the biggest of them all — a fresh challenge in England. With stalwarts Virat Kohli and
Shubman Gill
having retired from Tests, Rahul was looked upon as a senior pro, someone who could lead from the front.
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When he first stepped out in his Delhi Capitals practice kit, he walked out of the dressing room with a ponytail. Pulling out a hairband from his pocket, he tied his hair, bumped fists with teammates, gave Badani a bear hug, stretched a bit — and got straight to business: batting drills.
"I really liked the fact that he was someone who said, 'I want to go to England early. I want to play the side game.'
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Forget about the hundred he got — that came later. The intent — that's what matters. The intent to be there early, to be prepared, to be with the side," Badani told TimesofIndia.com.
"Let's not forget, he's a young father, and I don't think his child is travelling with him initially. So for him to say, 'Country over my child' — that's a huge call. He could've easily said, 'I'm not playing the side game anyway, I'll just go straight to the Test match.'
But he didn't," he added.
Nothing mattered more to KL Rahul than wearing the whites in England — and he made that clear with his actions. He flew in early, played the unofficial Test against England Lions, and made a strong, unmissable statement.
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Scores of 116 and 51 in that match sent a loud and clear message: he had arrived. This stage, too, belonged to him — just like that iconic "Kantara" celebration at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the IPL after he single-handedly took down Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
After a long stretch of musical chairs in his Test career, Rahul was handed the opening slot alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. He gave India a steady start in the first innings, scoring 42 before being dismissed by Brydon Carse. In the second innings, he made sure not to let the opportunity slip away. Rahul crafted a composed and gritty 137 off 247 balls, steering India to 364.
It was a special century for the player from Karnataka.
You could see the pride on his face — and the satisfaction that comes after years of stop-start journeys. It had taken 23 Tests for him to raise his bat and helmet once more in front of a roaring crowd. His previous Test century had come in 2023, against South Africa at Centurion.
"I CARE FOR THIS TEAM" – KL Rahul
Having already been part of two Test tours to England — in 2018 and 2021 — the experience was there. But this third one needs to be special. This time, he is the senior man, the mentor, the voice in the dressing room.
He was seen guiding batters like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan — and even his childhood friend Karun Nair, who returned to the Test side after an eight-year gap.
"KL made a statement I remember ahead of the Test series: 'I care for this team, and I want to be here.' He wanted to go to England. I could see the hunger in his eyes and in his words. In the absence of Rohit and Virat, he becomes the senior-most batter — and he has played that role really well," Badani said.
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"He's played in England before. And in terms of maturity and technique, you can clearly see he's more focused now. He knows he has to fill the vacuum left behind. The rest of the squad — apart from Karun — are mostly under 30. So he has to guide players like Sai Sudharsan, Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Nitish Kumar Reddy — all of whom are new to this level," he added.
In many ways, KL Rahul has become the bridge between India's illustrious past and its promising future in Test
cricket
. His presence in the team isn't just about scoring runs — it's also about carrying responsibility and setting the tone for a new era. Amidst personal milestones and professional transitions, KL Rahul chose country over comfort and commitment over convenience.
(Watch India tour of England on Sony Sports Network)
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