Mangaluru, November 10Ultimately a Mangalorean Kannadiga has joined the Indian Cricket team. This lad K L Rahul is the son of the NITK Engineering College dean Dr KN Lokesh, and Rajeshwari, associate professor, University College. He is placed in the Indian Test team.
Dr Lokesh, Rahul’s dad is basically from Kariyapalya in Bangalore. About 30 years ago, he came to Mangalore for job, resided at NITK and has settled here currently.
Rahul is a cricketer by birth. He studied at KREC English medium school near Suratkal. He began practising cricket during those days and none had thought that this boy would represent the Indian team in future.
Cricket Banned in School!
The KREC school administration had banned cricket in 2002 when Rahul was studying there. Then he was only 11 years old. With no other option, his father had requested to grant a chance for Rahul to practice in Nehru Maidan. By observing his batting technique and perseverance, the manager of the district Cricket Association Kasthuri Balakrishna Pai and Coach Jayaraj Samuel Muthu, granted Rahul a chance.
Rahul who made the best of the opportunity did not turn back. Beginning from the Cricket coaching camps conducted during vacations, he participated in inter school tournaments where he exhibited a mind blowing performance.
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 Jayaraj Samuel Muttu and Devdas Nayak.
Mangalore to Bangalore:
Rahul Studied PUC at St Aloysius College Mangaluru and moved to Bangalore when he was 17 years old. While Studying in Jain University in Bangalore, he began grabbing all the opportunities rising higher and higher. He participated in junior world cup held at New Zealand in 2010. He became a member of the Indian team which won the world cup. His very first Ranaji cup match was against Himachal Pradesh team after joining the Ranaji trophy Karnataka team.
Initial coaches are Mangalorean’s:
Rahul’s first coaches are Jayaraj Samuel Muthu who is the physical instructor at Cambridge School and Devdas Nayak. Both the coaches who moulded Rahul were the happiest among all when they learnt that their student is representing Team India.
When Rahul had been to Bangalore there were no coaches. Vasanth Raj from Belthangady who passed away last year was his manager. He received additional training from the former cricketer J Arun Kumar and Ranaji coach Sanath Kumar.
“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.
KPL, IPL….:
Rahul has represented the Bangalore Brigadiers team in Karnataka Power League, Royal challengers Bangalore in IPL and Sunriser’s Hyderabad team. He learnt more batting tips from foreign players and coaches during the IPL tournament. He learnt additional batting tips from Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Krishnamachary Shreekanth, Tom Moody, Diviliars, and Virat Kohli.
Sleep with bat:
The good example to say that he is a born cricketer is that, he used to sleep holding the bat. He was drawn towards cricket since his childhood. His special trait is he used to bang all the cricket strokes without the bat.
There is a resemblance between the batting style of K. L Rahul and former cricketer Rahul Dravid. Both are wonderful batsmen. Batting style of KL Rahul reminds us of the batting style of Rahul Dravid. Even K.L Rahul follows the batting style of Dravid.
Bellipady Chandrahas Alva had represented India in the Test Matches held during 1951-52. Rahul holds the credit as the second Mangalorean to be selected to the Team India.
- I am very happy that my son Rahul being selected for Indian Test team. He has performed well till date who id dedicated for cricket. He has to achieve more and grow to the peak in cricket. I am confident that he will present a wonderful performance. — Dr K N Lokesh, Rahul’s Dad.
- Rahul is a born cricketer. From the day he began his practice at Nehru Maidan to till date; I have observed the similarity in his batting style with that of Rahul Dravid. He has all the eligibilities to shine in team India in future. Good Luck Rahul. — Kasthuri Balakrishna Pai, DKCP former Manager.
- Best player. He has proved it. I am very happy. He is talented who has put a lot of efforts to grow to this height. He had the ambition to play from the beginning. He would easily not let off the wicket when he used to play cricket. He was capable to such extent. He had to join Team India two years ago. His awesome performance in 2013 helped him. — Jayaraj Samuel Muthu, Rahul’s first coach
