It was clear to all gathered at a function to felicitate Mangaluru’s own run machine K.L. Rahul that he would not disappoint the faith people reposed in him. True to the spirit he has displayed at the crease, he told them in no uncertain terms that he will do what is expected of him – getting runs.
Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) Mangaluru zone had organised the programme to felicitate winners of various tournaments and to Rahul for his entry into the world of Test cricket.
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Recalling his first international appearance at MCG where he could not shine, he said it had in fact made him stronger and helped him stage a comeback even as the team management supported him. He thanked everyone, his family, coach and more importantly the BCCI, for investing faith in him and giving him a second chance to play at Sydney.
He said he knew Test cricket was the highest form of the game and that he took each game with great seriousness. He said he stayed humble to the game, which had led to his selection to the Test cricket.
He remembered the contributions of his coaches Jayaraj Samuel Muthu and Devadas Nayak, who had pushed him hard to excel. He hoped that the KSCA would set up an international stadium in Mangaluru which would give a chance to display his talents to the home crowd.
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Speaking on the occasion, KSCA honorary secretary Brijesh Patel said junior cricket in Karnataka was in a mess and no meaningful under-14 cricket was being played in the last few years. He said efforts were being made to set things right.
He said his team had revived 14 tournaments ignored by the previous team. The KSCA would start cricket academies and also hold summer camps in 20 places in the State, he said.