KKR vs RCB: "Virat Kohli forced me to.."- KL Rahul's sensational revelation

KL Rahul might be currently playing and captaining for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the ongoing IPL 2024, but he has a special place in his heart for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Amid the ongoing IPL 2024 glitz, Rahul opened up about the former RCB skipper Virat Kohli's reaction upon learning about his signing with RCB for the first time during a conversation with the star off-spinner R Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

Rahul, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Thursday (April 18), reflected on his remarkable journey when he was signed by the RCB for the 2013 season of the lucrative league.

KL Rahul recalls his IPL journey with RCB and Virat Kohli's reaction

The young Indian wicketkeeper-batter made his debut for the star-studded RCB team against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2013, and it was a huge moment for him.

At just 20 years old, donning the RCB jersey was a dream come true for Rahul, and it was a significant milestone in his career, as it changed everything for him. Notably, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper had two separate stints with RCB in the IPL—first in 2013 and second in 2016.

KL Rahul told R Ashwin on his YouTube Channel: “Virat was there (ITC Gardenia), coach Ray Jennings and other support staff were also there and Virat only said, 'Would you want to sign this contract and play for RCB?' I was like, 'Are you kidding? It was always my dream.' And then he said 'I'm just kidding. It's not an option, just sign this contract.' I signed and Virat said 'It's gonna be a crazy ride. You're going to enjoy a lot in the next couple of months’.”

Rahul further said that his learnings during his time at RCB over those two months were invaluable. He noted that with the growth and development he experienced during that short period at the RCB, it would have taken 7-8 seasons of playing the Ranji Trophy alone to learn that.

I would have liked to finish my IPL career with RCB: KL Rahul

The 32-year-old right-hander said that he gained so much knowledge and experience in those two months in the IPL with the RCB, and everything was fast-forwarded. The LSG skipper also revealed that he would have loved to finish his IPL career at RCB because he started his IPL journey with them.

Rahul signed off by saying, “I would have also loved to play for Bangalore. I had started there; I would have liked to finish there and that was there in my head. But the beauty of IPL is that you get to go into different teams with different players.”

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Notably, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will lock horns against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing IPL 2024 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday, April 19. On the other hand, Ashwin will be seen in action on April 21, when the Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Rajasthan Royals (RR) is currently at the top of the IPL 2024 points table with 12 points, while Mumbai Indians (MI) jumped to the 7th spot with 6 points from 7 matches so far in the tournament.

On the other hand, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are in the 5th spot with 6 points, and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are in the third spot with 8 points in the IPL 2024 points table.