From being mocked to being bowed at, a comeback to savour for KL Rahul | ODI World Cup 2023

They will pull you down, they will mock you But when you stand above them, they will bow you.

KL Rahul found himself in the line of fire after a couple of bad knocks in IPL 2023 and after his injury, which ruled him out for 5 months, not many thought that he would even get into the World Cup squad, let alone being India's X-factor in ODIs.

But Rahul had other plans. It is turning out to be a comeback to savour for ages as the Bengaluru lad is now making it a habit of saving India the blemishes.

KL's comeback journey started on September 11, when he smashed a match-winning hundred in the Asia Cup 2023 group match against Pakistan.

That knock helped him stamp his authority back in the Indian ODI middle order, just in time for the ODI World Cup.

He played a couple of more special knocks in India's successful Asia Cup campaign after that match, which made the team management reinstate their belief in KL.

Come September 18, Rahul was asked to lead Team India in the first 2 ODIs vs Australia, both of which the Men in Blue won.

An in form KL Rahul was exactly what India was looking for in the middle order and the 31-year-old carried his good form with the bat into the World Cup.

India found themselves wanting at 3 down with just 2 runs on the board in their World Cup opening game vs Australia and it was once again Rahul, who came to his team's rescue.

His unbeaten 97 not just took India over the finish line but sent out a loud message that the match isn't over till KL was at the crease.

Since his comeback, Rahul has smashed 402 runs in 7 ODI innings at a whopping average of over 100. That includes a 111 not out, a 97 not out and two more half centuries.

They say that comebacks are stronger than setbacks. And KL Rahul proved that it wasn't just a phrase but an attitude only fighters possess.