‘He meant no harm’ – KL Rahul downplays Kevin Pietersen’s remarks at his strike rate

KL Rahul, a Delhi Capitals (DC) hitter, confessed that Kevin Pietersen’s past criticism of his batting style and strike rate was not intended to be harmful. Notably, Pietersen mocked Rahul, claiming that “watching KL is like sitting and watching paint dry on a wall”.

As luck would have it, Pietersen was recruited as the mentor of the Delhi Capitals franchise in the 18th edition of the competition, where he worked alongside Rahul. Much has changed in the right-hander’s batting technique since Pitersen made the statement; he has scored 539 runs this year with a strike rate of about 150.

However, Rahul chose not to take the statement personally and noted that Pietersen aired his feelings and did not mean any damage. The 33-year-old admitted that the statement inspired him to improve his skills.

“I think it’s good to have a little bit of banter, and yeah, I mean, these were the days when I still read and saw stuff that was said about me,”

KL Rahul told Nasser Hussain of Sky Sports.

“There is clearly motivation when someone says I can’t do something or that I’m the most boring player to watch in T20 cricket or powerplay. I mean, I have a little more in me for the next game.

“I’ve spent a couple of weeks with KP [Kevin Pietersen] here at the IPL, and you know that they don’t mean any damage to you; it’s just what he saw on TV, and it’s what he felt, as he stated on TV. “So there’s nothing else,” he explained.

The right-handed hitter also stated that when a commentator expresses a view on television, it is their perspective and should not be taken personally.

“So it’s been easy for me since I started seeing it that way: if someone is a commentator or a fellow cricketer has said that, obviously it’s what he’s seen and what he feels so that you don’t take it personally I think that’s a bit easier,” according to him.