Started to Doubt Myself as a Person after Koffee With Karan Row, Says KL Rahul

The Koffee With Karan episode with Indian National Cricket team players Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul triggered a countrywide controversy. The cricketers made misogynistic and sexist comments on the show and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) immediately acted upon it and suspended the cricketers. They immediately had to return to the country from the tour of Australia.

After a lot of consideration, the apex body finally decided to lift the suspension. However, there have been views that BCCI should arrange classes to groom the cricketers. After the ban, Hardik Pandya joined up with the Indian team in New Zealand, Rahul stayed home to play for India A. Meanwhile, KL finally got back into the Indian team and made 50 and 47 in two T20 Internationals. In the ODI against Australia in Mohali, Rahul made 26.

Speaking to India Today, KL Rahul admitted that period had cast doubts on him as a person. He also admitted that he went through a lot during that period as he was the target of the whole nation.

“Last two months have been very very tough for me. When it happened I had started to doubt myself as a person,” Rahul said. “I was hated nationally and it was not easy. I always thought I was a good person and then I started to believe otherwise,” he added.

Moreover, KL Rahul said he stayed home in the days after the talk show row but admitted that he has grown as a better person from that incident. The Karnataka batsman has also taught him and has emerged as a stronger human being.

“I couldn’t come out of home for I was not ready. Only played play station and all. I have become calmer and more mature as a result. It has taught me a lot and maybe I have emerged stronger also,” he concluded.

KL Rahul is currently featuring for the Kings XI Punjab in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Although he failed in the opening game, Rahul has the pedigree to come back in the league. With the World Cup berth in mind, the stylish right-hander needs to score a lot of runs to cement his berth.