Newly-appointed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul has recently on why he chose to leave the Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the IPL 2022 season. However, KL Rahul was not only the captain of PBKS but also a key batter for the team. But, he has recently shared that he wanted to involve in a new challenge and that was why he asked PBKS not to retain him prior to the IPL 2022 season.
While speaking to Red Bull Cricket, he stated: “I have been with them for four years and I’ve had a great run with them. Just wanted to see what’s in store for me and if there’s a new journey for me. It was a tough call obviously. I have been attached to Punjab for a long time. I wanted to see if I can do something else.”
Ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, PBKS have retained just two players – Mayank Agarwal and Arshdeep Singh. While, PBKS head coach Anil Kumble has revealed that as much as they wanted to retain KL Rahul, it was his decision to leave as well. Kumble has also opened up on this while speaking to Star Sports after the retention announcement as well. However, under a new captain in Agarwal, PBKS are expected to do well.
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“Obviously we wanted to retain him, that is one of the reasons we chose him as captain two years back. But he decided to go into the auction. We respect that, we honour his decision. It’s the player’s prerogative,” he again shared.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul opined on the problems that arose after persistent bio-bubbles amid the constant threat posed by COVID-19. He last played in the home series against West Indies where he had suffered a hamstring strain on his left leg in the second ODI in Ahmedabad and was eventually ruled out of the T20Is as well as the home series against Sri Lanka.
KL Rahul said: “I was quite okay initially, but I think the last series and the West Indies series at home really got to me. It became very difficult for me to keep myself motivated. The first few bubbles I did manage. Because I kept asking myself, ‘Where else can I be? What else can I do?’ Nothing. Cricket is the only thing I am good at and this is the thing I have chosen, so I owe it to myself.”
However, after the injury, he reported to the NCA to complete his rehabilitation. He joined the Lucknow Super Giants camp before IPL 2022 after recovering from his injury.
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Rahul said: “I kept pushing myself that way. But the last couple of months were very difficult. Shreyas and me were chatting about how it’s getting more difficult especially when your families can’t come and be with you. You need your family, your friends to just feel normal. We stopped feeling normal. We had to sleep, wake-up, go to the ground. It just became a routine. It started getting very difficult.”
Although bio-bubbles take a toll on players’ mental health, KL Rahul shared how bio-bubbles have helped in team bonding.
“The good thing was the bubble, the quarantines got the players together, we got to know each other better. I have gotten to know the players I have been with for 4-5 years better on a personal level and formed a much deeper friendship. You are constantly improving because you are chatting with your fellow players about the game. That’s all we know to be honest. We only know about cricket,” KL Rahul concluded.
