He was my crisis man – Rohit Sharma lauds KL Rahul after Test retirement

India’s veteran Rohit Sharma has showered praise on KL Rahul, calling him the crisis man. Rohit recently announced his Test retirement after playing 67 games for the country. 

Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been part of the leadership group in ODIs and Test formats. Rahul has also taken the wicket-keeping gloves in the 50-over version and has done a fine job for the country. The flamboyant batter scored 140 runs in four matches at an average of 140 in the Champions Trophy and played a key role in taking India to glory.

Furthermore, Rahul performed consistently as an opener in the first half of the Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia.

In the ongoing IPL 2025, Rahul has scored 381 runs in 10 matches at an average of 47.63 and a strike rate of 142.16 for Delhi Capitals.

Rohit Sharma said in an interview with journalist, Vimal Kumar, “Pichle do teen saalo mai toh mere liye important player rahe hai woh. I look at him as a crisis man. Jaha pe humko KL se kuch karvana tha toh KL ne haath uthaya.” (In the last two-three years, he has been an important player for me. I look at him as a crisis man. Wherever we needed KL to do something, he has raised his hand.)

Rohit said Rahul is a proper team man as he does everything for the side.

“Keeping karna hai, chalo mai karta hu. Yaha pe batting karna hai, karta hu.” (Have to do keeping, he will do it. Have to bat anywhere, he will do it.)

The Indian opener added that criticism doesn’t affect him and his players and they always try to give their absolute best for the country.

“Mai abhi thak gaya hu yaar. Agar affect karti hoti na, toh player abhi ghar mai baitha hota, bistar mai apne so raha hota ki yaar mereko criticize kiya ja raha hai mai nahi khel sakta hu yeh ho raha hai mere saath. Puri duniya mere khilaf hai. Thick skin bolte hai na jisko, yeh saare players mai inbuilt hai.” (I am tired of this. If it were affected, then the player would be sitting at home. He would be on his bed thinking I am being criticized, I cannot play all this is happening with me. The whole world is against me. Being thick-skinned is inbuilt in players.)

“Mai yeh nahi bol sakta hu ki puri tarike se affect nahi karti hai. Kisi ko karti hogi kisi ko nahi karti hogi. Mereko toh kuch nahi hota hai. Abhi time bhi hogaya na itna.” (I cannot say that it does not affect at all. It may affect some and it may not to others. Nothing happens to me. It has been a long time since I am playing now.)