KL Rahul's Influence Powers Karnataka Ahead of Ranji Trophy Final

BENGALURU: An SOS call from a Karnataka teammate a month ago prompted KL Rahul to join the former champions for their final Ranji Trophy league match against Punjab, transforming the team's fortunes as they prepare for Tuesday's final against Jammu and Kashmir in Hubballi.

Rahul, who was initially expected to link up only for the knockouts, advanced his return ahead of the must-win Punjab fixture after Karnataka faced elimination following a heavy home defeat to Madhya Pradesh. Since his return, he has been nothing short of spectacular, scoring 457 runs in three matches, including two centuries and two half-centuries, at an astonishing average of 91.40.

Beyond the Numbers: Leadership and Mentorship

While his batting numbers are impressive, Rahul's contribution extends far beyond runs. In a dressing room that included five Test players, Rahul emerged as the most experienced and influential figure. His calm authority, clarity of thought, and willingness to engage with younger teammates added a different dimension to Karnataka's campaign.

Head coach Yere Goud emphasized Rahul's impact on the squad, stating: "Rahul has made a huge impact. We have young players like R Smaran and KV Aneesh, and he talks to them about handling certain situations. So him being there has given confidence."

Wicketkeeper-batter Kruthik Krishna described the learning experience as invaluable: "There's so much to learn from him. He has done everything possible as a batter, opening, batting at No 6 or No 7, and he is also a keeper. So having him is a boost. I can learn how to plan and shape my innings, and that's irrespective of the performance. That simplifies your game a lot rather than you thinking about the pitch, the opposition and all of that. I've had a lot of conversations with him."

Preparing Young Talent for the Future

For younger cricketers, exposure to Rahul's preparation methods and mental approach has proved especially valuable. The emphasis has been on temperament, understanding phases of a game, reading match situations, and responding rather than reacting.

Among those benefiting is the season's top run-getter, R Smaran, who has logged 950 runs so far. Smaran said Rahul's guidance extended across formats: "We've had a lot of conversations about how you can go about the game, not only in the Ranji Trophy but also in the shorter formats. We were really glad that we had him in the team for a couple of matches during the Vijay Hazare as well."

With a smile, Smaran added: "Till the time that we have him in the Karnataka dressing room, I would like to keep picking his brains."

Final Preparation with a Proven Winner

As Karnataka head into the Ranji Trophy final, the team will draw on Rahul's consistency and proven record in previous title wins. He has struck centuries in the last two finals that Karnataka have won, making him a key asset in high-pressure situations.

Players noted that Rahul's everyday conversations left a mark, with many having watched his rise from age-group cricket to becoming an all-format international. Earlier this season, when he played a couple of Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, younger players described the experience as surreal.

Smaran highlighted Rahul's team-first mentality: "He's the kind of guy who prioritises the state when he's playing for us. He has a lot of inputs to give to youngsters in the team, be it a bowler, keeper or batter."

With Rahul's experience, mentorship, and batting form at its peak, Karnataka enters the final with renewed confidence and a secret weapon that could prove decisive in their quest for another Ranji Trophy title.