Indian cricketer KL Rahul recently reflected on the profound impact of his suspension from the national team following the controversial “Koffee With Karan” episode, which also featured Bollywood director Karan Johar and fellow cricketer Hardik Pandya. The suspension, which stemmed from Hardik’s inappropriate comments during the show, left Rahul deeply affected, a sentiment he candidly shared in a recent interview.
Back in 2019, both Rahul and Hardik were suspended and fined Rs 20 lakh each following the episode. Although the suspension was lifted before the ICC Cricket World Cup that year, allowing them to rejoin the team, the experience left a lasting mark on Rahul. Reflecting on the incident during an interview on entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath’s YouTube channel, Rahul admitted that the experience “scarred him massively.”
“The [Koffee With Karan] interview was a different world altogether. That changed me,” Rahul revealed. “I was a very shy, soft-spoken boy growing up. And then I played for India, and for the next three-four years, I became very confident. But after the suspension, everything changed. I had never been suspended in school, never been punished. I didn’t know how to handle it.”
Rahul also spoke about the challenges of dealing with online trolling and social media abuse, which have often intensified when his on-field performances came under scrutiny. “I used to be good with [handling] trolling. I didn’t care, but I feel I was much younger back then. And then, a couple of years back, I was exposed to a lot of trolling. If I sat, I got trolled; if I stood, I got trolled,” Rahul said, highlighting the constant barrage of criticism he has faced.
Despite his struggles, Rahul has continued to contribute to Indian cricket. His last international appearance was during the ODI series against Sri Lanka, where he scored 31 runs in two innings. Rahul had a strong showing in the ICC Cricket World Cup last year, amassing 452 runs in 10 innings at an impressive average of 75.33, with one century and two fifties. However, he faced criticism for his knock of 66 off 107 balls in the final against Australia, where India failed to defend a total of 241 runs.
Rahul’s performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 also drew mixed reactions. Although he finished among the top 10 run-getters with 520 runs in 14 matches at an average of 37.14, his strike rate of 136.12 became a point of criticism. Comparisons with players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and younger talents such as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rishabh Pant highlighted the pressure Rahul faces both on and off the field.
KL Rahul’s journey in cricket has been one of highs and lows, with the “Koffee With Karan” controversy serving as a significant turning point. As he continues to navigate his career, Rahul remains a key figure in Indian cricket, with the resilience to overcome challenges and the potential to achieve even greater success.
