Mangalurean Cricketer KL Rahul gets place in national team


New Delhi, Nov 10: KL Rahul and Karn Sharma's hard work and prayers have been answered. The Karnataka wicket-keeper batsman and the Uttar Pradesh legspinner will be on the flight to Australia later this month for India's four-Test tour.

Rahul, who considers Dravid as his icon, is talked of highly by 'The Wall' himself, who had backed Rahul's inclusion for the tour of Australia.

"He has scored over 1000 runs in the domestic season, looks in really good form with twin hundreds in the Duleep final, so if you are going to give a youngster an opportunity, it's good to pick him if he's in good form and actually playing well," Dravid told ESPNCricinfo. "You are picking him, at least initially, as a back-up opener."
Meet India's new would-be Test cricketers - KL Rahul and Karn Sharma

The hard work and efforts of Karnataka wicketkeeper batsman Rahul and Uttar Pradesh legspinner Karn have been answered with a place in the Test squad for Australia.

Son of the NITK Engineering College dean Dr KN Lokesh, the 22-year-old wicketkeeper batsman Rahul started his cricket when he was 11 - honing his skills behind and in front of wickets under the watchful eyes of Karnataka State Cricket Academy (KSCA) coaches Samuel Jayaraj Muttu and Devdas Nayak.

"He is a cricketer with commitment and discipline. His hard work and efforts will lead him to the goal he wants to reach," Muttu had said when Rahul was selected to play under-19 World Cup in 2010 following his 276 runs at an average of 55.20 in the 2008-09 Vinoo Mankad Trophy.

For the technically sound nature of his batting, which has earned Rahul 2100 first-class runs in 27 matches, including six hundreds and eight fifties at an average of 51.21, he has often been compared to his idol Dravid.

"I feel really happy when I am compared to Dravid. I used to watch his batting since I was a child," Rahul had told Cricketnext in an interview. It's a big compliment for me. I can't express the feeling when my name appears in the same sentence as Dravid's, someone who has been so successful and is called 'The Wall' of Indian cricket. It's a morale-booster for me and increases my confidence."

The performance which perhaps prompted the selectors to tick Rahul's name came in the Duleep Trophy final, where he struck centuries in both the innings for South Zone. But it will be a 'Test' fair notches above than what Rahul has experienced so far when he travels to Australia as India's third specialist opener in the squad.

Dravid, in fact, had called the inclusion of both Rahul and Karn in the squad before BCCI's announcement.

After making his T20 debut for India during the tour of England earlier this year, Karn, 27, is now on the brink of receiving his Test cap should he get a chance to be in the playing XI in Australia. Chances are that he will.

"Wrist spinners have a greater chance to succeed in Australia especially if they bowl slightly quicker in the air and have a good googly," Dravid told ESPNCricinfo. "I just feel if you want to win Test matches in Australia and you have a quality wrist spinner, you give yourself a great chance."

The man from UP is regarded as an allrounder in the domestic circuit, where he made his first-class debut in 2007, but he will be touring Australia purely as a leg-break bowler.

Railways bowler Karn, who possesses a good googly, has taken 66 wickets in 34 first-class games at an average of 28.87, including his best of 8 for 97 against Rajasthan in the 2012-13 season. That year he was also named the 'Best Under-25 Cricketer' in the country.

India squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, K.L. Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Naman Ojha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Karn Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Mohd. Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron.

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  • Ashraf Sheikh, Belvai / Dammam

    Wed, Nov 12 2014

    All the best Rahul, proud of you. Make use of this golden opportunity, our good wishes are with you.

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  • DYANAND BANGERA, KATAPADY / ABU DHABI

    Wed, Nov 12 2014

    CONGRATS AND WELL DONE. HE DESERVES PLACE IN INDIAN TEAM. I WAS DISCUSSING WITH FRIENDS IN ABU DHABI, WHY THIS LAD STILL NOT IN INDIAN TEAM. KEEP GOING...YOU HAVE ABILITY TO BREAK LOTS OF RECORDS. MOVING TO BANGALORE WILL HELP MANGALORE BOYS TO PLAY IN BIG LEAGUE. CONGRATULATIONS TO MANGALORE COACHES.

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  • William, Mangalore

    Wed, Nov 12 2014

    Congrats dear Rahul.We wish you all the very best in your chosen field.

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  • Sylvester, Mangalore/Dubai

    Wed, Nov 12 2014

    At least One Good news from Mangalore. All the best Rahul.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • ahamed afthar, byndoor..dubai

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    All the best rahul

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  • Ranjith. S. Shetty, Udupi- London

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    Congratulations Rahul , you made udupi/ mangalore proud and open the space for Tulunadu talent in the Indian cricket team , G luck and work hard on your fitness and concentration, so that you can carry on your cricket talent in the long run !!! Look forward to C U in LORDS- London

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  • m.Advika Shetty, Mangalore/Surathkal

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    All best Rahulanna I want to see you playing in the next match

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • MOhammad, Udupi

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    Wish you all the very best Rahul,

    We all mangaloreans are proud of you

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Louis Maxim, Udupi/Kuwait

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    He will hit a ton in Australia if given chance to play in test. Hope our New Rahul will full fill the gap left in our team by Rahul Dravid.
    All best. God bless him.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anil Dsouza, Bantakal / Dubai

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    Congrats Rahul, you deserve to be in National squad after one double hundred & hundred in Final. All the best..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • R K, Doha/ Mangalore

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    Congratulation Rahul boy !!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ashok Kotian, Mangalore / Mumbai

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    Congratulation Rahul. All the Best. Keep up the good work. Good Fortune will definitely favour you. We are all proud of you.

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • ER, Mangalore

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    Happy that a Kannadiga, that too a Mangalorean representing this great India Teams. All the Best Rahul. Jai Karnataka Mathe

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nagesh kumar., Mangalore / Dubai.

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    Congrats Rahul,Wish you Good luck for your bright golden future. Let the Mangalore name fly high through out the world.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suleman Beary, Udupi

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    Good luck Rahul...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B.., Manipal,Sharjah

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    KL Rahul..Namma Huduga..is representing Team India in Australia..He booked his seat not through back door,but through hard work and performance..The moment he hit two marathon consecutive centuries in Duleep Trophy final match,I expected him to be in Indian team..But I had a small fear about politics playing dirty game..fortunately,ors did justice to him..It is not easy for him to play against deadly fast bowlers like Johnson,Siddle on bouncy pitch..But Rahul is gifted with patience..He should make full use of it..People are criticizing he is too young to play test cricket in Australian pitch..Let me tell you Dravid,Ganguly,Sehwagh played their first Test match in overseas..They are legends now..What about Sunil Gavaskar ? His 774 runs in debut West Indis series is still a world record.He hit 3 centuries and one double century in the very first test series. ..Till today no one broke it..I don't think anyone will break it..Hope KL Rahul will follow foot steps of our legend cricketers..and make us proud..

    Note: Ismail Bhai..Thank you for supporting me..

    DisAgree [2] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Riyaz Hussain, Muscat

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Always our support is with you Rahul. Work hard. You have a bright future.we mangalureans are very proud of you. We will pray for your future.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • RONALD, DUBAI

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congrats Rahul. But I am sorry to tell you that Dhoni or BCCI won't give you a chance to play. Keep hopes. We all are with you.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mahendra Shetty, Mumbai Mangalore

    Mon, Nov 10 2014


    I LOVE HIS BATTING TECHNIQUES....

    HE IS HAVING GREAT FUTURE IN INDIAN CRICKET IF POLITICS NOT INVOLVED IN CRICKET.....

    ALL THE BEST.....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Syed Mohiudin, Iruvail/Riyadh

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congratulations Rahul. Wish you Good luck for your bright future.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivek, herebile / abudhabi

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congratulations!!Rahul...i feel like you are the replacement for Rahul Dravid...All the best..

    DisAgree Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • CYRIL MASCARENHAS, KIREM/MIRA ROAD/DUBAI

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    CONGRATULATIONS TO RAHUL,LET MANGALORE FLAG FLY HIGH..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Christopher DCunha, M'lore/AUH

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congratulations Rahul......You will make Mangaloreans proud. Good Luck.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • JNB, Bejai

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    All the best and Good Luck....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Waleed Ullal, Ullal / Muscat

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congrats & Best of Luck ... If got the chance in playing 11 prove your self - Bless of luck and god bless ... we all Mangalureans with U.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • OSWALD VAZ, THOTTAM/BAHRAIN

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    FIRSTLY HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CHANCE TO PLAY IN INDIA TO PROVE HIS ABILITIES.THAN HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRIED OUTSIDE.NOW,THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR HIM AGAINST A PROFESSIONAL ATTACK.

    DisAgree [22] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh, Mangalore

    Tue, Nov 11 2014

    Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly all started their career in foreign soil against formidable opponent like Pakistan and England. Hope Rahul will spark against Australian bowlers as he already toured that nation for India A few months back.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • vashal, Mangalore

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Good luck dear Rahul.Concentrate & Play.Be a good cricketer.God Bless You.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joe Britto, Nakre/Bangalore

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congrats Rahul !

    We have been closely following your cricketing adventures.

    Australian conditions are different and we hope you get to play a couple of matches and get adjusted to the conditions and do well in the Tests as well.

    Good luck and we wish you a long Test Cricket career ahead !

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed , K.S.A

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congratulations!! Mr.Rahul all the very best to you Good Luck.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • HARISH SHETTY KUMBLA, KUMBLA

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congratulation Rahul

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL K PERINJE., PERINJE.

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congrats to KL Rahul,Mangalorean who was given TEST CAP and member of team India.The ion of KL Rahul was predicted by our own DAIJIWORLD READER Mr JAIMINI MANIPAL in FACE BOOK almost ten days ago.I supported it and few were negated his prediction.I just tweeted him that DAIJIWORLD not yet figured in the news item and said I am expecting it.Rahul and Karn all the best for future endeavor in cricket.Good to see RAHUL DRAVID 2 in Indian team...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hanif, Shirva - Sharjah

    Mon, Nov 10 2014

    Congrats, I was wishing to see him playing in Indian team, hope he fix his place in Team India.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangalurean Cricketer KL Rahul gets place in national team



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