SUBTLE TOUCH, LARGE IMPACT IN THE MIDDLE

Backed by management, Rahul has been quietly playing a pivotal role

- GOMESH S

BEING KL Rahul is difficult -- a top Indian cricketer with his ability. Test debut nine years ago. ODI and T20I debut seven years ago. And yet somehow, every time he fails to deliver, Rahul has been a talking point for all the wrong reasons. Despite his exceptional talent and skill, every failure or modest outing is laid bare under the dissection table. At times even questions would be raised if he deserved the backing he gets from the team management.

With the amount of T20s he has played in the last three years, every on-field failure of Rahul often results in adverse reactions by the fans. The intended frustration usually stem from the fact that he fails to live up to his ability to play bowlers with consummate ease, sometimes leading to trolls and abuses on social media.

Now, Rahul is not in-your-face I-own-the-world Virat Kohli. His presence might not intimidate opponents. He might, at times, try to show the external aggression but that doesn't come naturally to him. In fact, his trademark celebration is closing his ears, gesturing that he is shutting out the noise from outside.