“Country first, I care for this team”- KL Rahul’s decision to prep for India Tests revealed by Hemang Badani

Hemang Badani, the head coach of the Delhi Capitals, has praised KL Rahul's steadfast devotion to Indian cricket, emphasizing how the veteran batsman put his country before comfort by traveling to England shortly after becoming a father for the first time.

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After Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired, Rahul became the most senior batter in the Indian Test team. In March, he and his wife Athiya Shetty welcomed their first child.

Rahul willingly made himself available for the India 'A' journey to England, playing in the second unofficial Test match against the England Lions despite the emotional pressures of early fatherhood and having just finished a demanding IPL 2025 season.

His prompt arrival and initiative paid off right away. Rahul set the tone for his red-ball form on English soil with a calm century while opening the batting in the India A encounter. He maintained that momentum by reaching a tough hundred in the second innings of the first official Test match at Leeds.

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“I care for this team”- KL Rahul’s words to Hemang Badani before flying to UK

Rahul scored 42 and 137 in the opening Test at Leeds to start the England trip off in style. With his achievements in both official and unofficial (India 'A') matches, he has now scored 116, 51, 42, and 137 runs in four innings during this trip.

In light of Rahul's dedication, Badani related a personal story that revealed a lot about the wicketkeeper-batter's values.

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"Country first, Hemang bhai. I care for this team. I really liked the fact that he was someone who said, 'I want to go to England early. I want to play the side game.' Forget about the hundred he got - that came later. The intent - that's what matters. The intent is to be there early, to be prepared, to be on the side. Let's not forget, he's a young father, and I don't think his child is traveling with him initially. So for him to say, 'Country over my child' - that's a huge call,” Badani told Times of India.

His experience and presence have proved invaluable to a relatively young Indian side navigating a transition phase.

"He could've easily said, 'I'm not playing the side game anyway, I'll just go straight to the Test match.' But he didn't. KL made a statement I remember ahead of the Test series: 'I care for this team, and I want to be here.' He wanted to go to England. I could see the hunger in his eyes and in his words. In the absence of Rohit and Virat, he becomes the senior-most batter - and he has played that role really well," the DC coach said.

KL Rahul scored a century in the second innings for India in the first Test match that the visitors lost by 5 wickets, despite setting a 371-run target.

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