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Star batter KL Rahul opened up about his way of dealing with trolls on social media, stressing that he, like any other sportsman, is affected by negative comments. Rahul said he found time to work on his “head” during the injury lay-off earlier this year and realised that letting the bat do the talking is a good way of fending off negativity on social media. | SA vs IND, 1st Test Score |
KL Rahul’s comments came after he hit a gutsy century on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India in Centurion. Rahul returned to the Test side for the first time since he was dropped midway during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia earlier in the year and made an instant impression.
SA vs IND, 1st Test Day 2 Highlights
Taking up the role of wicketkeeper-batter and batting at No. 6 only for the second time in his Test career, KL Rahul played a lone warrior’s role, hitting 101 to help India post a competitive total of 245 in the first innings. On a spicy pitch that was under covers before the first day, Rahul used all his experience to fend off the high-quality pace threat from South Africa’s bowling line-up, led by Kagiso Rabada.
“It’s difficult, obviously. When you play international cricket, you are challenged as a cricketers, as a person and as an individual each day, each moment. There is the pressure of social media. When you score a hundred, people go ‘wow, wow’.But a 3-4 months ago, they were abusing me. It’s part and parcel of the game,” KL Rahul told the press after the second day’s play in Centurion.
Rahul’s comments come day after South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shami revealed concerning details of how him and his wife were targetted by social media trolls over his wicket celebration during a T20I series against India.
Rahul became the first overseas batter to hit two hundreds in Centurion. The 31-year-old had hit a match-winning hundred in 2021 at SuperSport Park.
Rahul’s resurgence across all formats since his comeback from a long injury lay-off has been special. He shone in the Asia Cup after gettig a last-minute opportunity and carried forward the form into the World Cup in which he was the pillar of India’s middle-order.
Rahul also led India to a memorable ODI series victory in South Africa earlier this month before producing a special knock in the first innings of the first Test.
‘WHAT WILL HAPPEN BY EXPRESSING YOURSELF?’
Shedding light on how he has learnt to deal with trolls, Rahul said every athlete is affected by negative comments and that he believed that anyone who says otherwise “was lying”.
Rahul has been on the receiving end of trolls on social media in the past.
“It does affect you, I won’t say it doesn’t affect me, But, it’s the sooner you realise that your mindset and your game will be better if you stay away from it (negativity on social media). You can perform and be in a better mindset if you slightly know where to draw the line. Nobody is that great that they can completely avoid what is being said and the criticism that they are getting, it does affect each person. Anyone who said it doesn’t affect them at all, is lying, I am sure. Each person has to find a way (To deal with it),
“For me, during my injury lay-off, I worked on myself, and tried to get back to the person I am. I realised that I shouldn’t change myself due to what’s being said outside. It’s very difficult to remain true to yourself and remain true to your personality when so much is happening.
But like anything in cricket, like anything else in life, there are ways to work on it, there are people who can people if your mind is open. That’s what I did. I worked on myself, worked on remaining calmer and taking care of my head when I was not playing.
Rahul also added that he decided not to respond to trolls and realised that the best way to respond to haters is by lettiing his performances on the field speak.
“What will happen by expressing yourself? Nothing will change. People who say things will keep on saying things. I have realised that whatever sport you play, if you are in the public eye, your performance is the only way you can stay away from negative comments. As long as you keep performing, you can keep these things away. You will be happy if you try and stay away from all these things,” he added.
Rahul’s hundred was overshadowed by Dean Elgar’s sensational 140 not out on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test as South Africa finished another weather-affected day in the driver’s seat.
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