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‘Country First, Hemang Bhai’ - Badani Reveals KL Rahul’s Powerful Words Ahead of IND vs ENG
Follow UsRahul not only flew to England early but smashed a century in the second game against England Lions
For KL Rahul, the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) was a special season even before it began as the team India batter became a father for the first time in his life. He and his wife Athiya Shetty welcomed their first child in March.
After two full months of non-stop cricket, Rahul was well within his rights to demand extra days off before the long tour of England, but he volunteered to play in the second unofficial Test between India ‘A’ and England Lions. As it turned out, Rahul not only flew to England early but smashed a century in the second game against England Lions opening the batting.
Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani recalled how Rahul clearly mentioned to him before the England tour that he wanted to give priority to the country at all costs.
“Country first, Hemang bhai. I care for this team,” Rahul said, Badani told Times of India.
"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 to be there early, to be prepared, to be with the side.
"Let’s not forget, he’s a young father, and I don’t think his child is travelling with him initially. So for him to say, ‘Country over my child’ — that’s a huge call. 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.”
In the same interview, Badani recalled another statement made by Rahul before the long tour.
"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 head coach revealed.
Rahul started the England tour off with a bang in Leeds, registering scores of 42 & 137. Across the unofficial (India ‘A’) and official Tests, Rahul has scores of 116, 51, 42 & 137 in four knocks in this tour.