'I tried to stay really calm': KL Rahul on his knock during India's chase in CT final

Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul played a crucial role in India’s victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final. He remained calm under pressure, helping India chase down 252 runs. Rahul scored an unbeaten 34, partnering with Ravindra Jadeja to guide India to a four-wicket win in Dubai. His performance was pivotal in securing the title.
KL Rahul: 'Very happy at the moment, ICC victories are not so easy to get'
KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. (Pic Credit - X)
NEW DELHI: Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul reflected on his composed knock during India’s chase in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, emphasising the importance of staying calm under pressure.
Rahul played a pivotal role in stabilising India's middle order, making valuable contributions that bolstered the team’s batting strength. His versatility, shot-making ability, and composure in finishing games cemented his position at No. 6.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
Rahul’s finishing expertise was on full display as India secured the ICC Champions Trophy with a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Dubai.
Expressing his joy in a video shared by the BCCI, he said, "People want to know what I would do if we didn't win. I guess we will never know. It was very special, and I'm really happy we got over the line."

Chasing 252, India found themselves in trouble at 183/4, but Rahul held his nerve, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 34. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja, he guided India home, delivering the finishing touch in a tense chase.
India win Champions Trophy title; Rohit Sharma confirms he's not retiring

Throughout his innings, Rahul focused on staying calm and backing his shots. "There was pressure, but I reminded myself to stay composed. If the ball was in my range, I would go for it. My aim was to finish the game as early as possible. I will never forget this moment," he said.
Since the arrival of Gautam Gambhir, Rahul has reinvented himself as a player in this new era of Indian cricket. He finished the tournament with 140 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 140.00 and a strike rate of 97.90, with a best score of 42*.

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.

author
About the Author
TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA