The IPL serves as a platform that connects players and fans to different states and cultures. In this league, you see Punjab’s Harbhajan Singh playing for Chennai Super Kings and Chennai’s R Ashwin leading Punjab Kings. Even overseas players have blended with the culture and enjoy the love they receive from the fans. Players such as Andre Russell and DJ Bravo consider their IPL cities as their 2nd home.
“I was lucky to play for RCB” – KL Rahul
The team you play for creates a special connection, and KL Rahul shares that unique bond with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Even though he has been leading Lucknow Super Giants and having played for the Bangalore-based franchise for just two seasons in 2013 and 2016, RCB holds a special place in KL Rahul’s heart. Recently, during an event hosted by SG Cricket, the LSG captain showered love on his former franchise.
“RCB gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent when I was young – I am also from Bangalore so I always dreamt of playing for RCB when IPL started – I was lucky that I got to play for them for a few years so RCB is very close to me,” KL Rahul said.
KL Rahul’s attachment with RCB is natural as he was born in Bangalore and started his career playing for Karnataka in RCB’s home ground, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Later, in 2013, Challengers handed him his maiden IPL contract signing him for 10 Lakh rupees.
However, RCB released him for Auction in 2014 and he returned to Virat Kohli-led side in 2016 which is considered as RCB’s best season to date. Rahul’s IPL career peaked with Punjab Kings and since IPL 2017 Auction he has never gone under the hammer again. Rahul will lead LSG in IPL 2024, and his homecoming to RCB appears unlikely in the near future.
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During the event, KL Rahul also revealed he has created a special bond with the Lucknow-based franchise. “Lucknow Supergiants is a team that I feel like my own because I was there from day zero, not even day one. I was the first player that they picked. I got to build the entire team, the entire set-up. So, Lucknow is right now the most special team for me,” KL Rahul said during the SG Cricket event.