(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India batter KL Rahul recalled his struggles before the injury layoff. Rahul picked up a hamstring injury in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and made his return to action after four months in the Asia Cup.
In his comeback game, Rahul scored a century against Pakistan. He also flourished in the World Cup 2023, gathering 452 runs in 10 innings.
He continued his rich vein of form in the Test series versus South Africa, smashing a hundred in Centurion.
However, before the injury break, the 31-year-old was struggling with the bat and was even dropped from the Test line-up.
Recalling this period, Rahul shared that the break was a blessing in disguise and turned his fortunes.
“When I first had an injury, initially it was very frustrating for me, but honestly, staying alone was the best thing for me. I was not able to score good runs before injury and there was a lot of criticism, and I wasn’t enjoying my cricket and being in the ground and getting criticised so often,” Rahul said as quoted on Star Sports.
“So that break really helped me and when I started training after surgery, there was some freshness and new energy within me,” he added.
He further talked about cricketing being his only hobby and how it made him realise to enjoy the sport instead of focusing on the results.
“Even during my time off, even my parents asked, my friends asked what else did you do, what are your hobbies, but I took 3–4 months to realise there are no other hobbies, but just playing cricket. So that was the mental switch, that whatever opportunities you get, you enjoy it, whether you do well or not do well,” Rahul mentioned.