KL Rahul starred with the bat for India in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Playing his first Test match as a wicketkeeper-batter, Rahul slammed 101 off 137 balls. His knock was studded with 14 fours and 4 sixes on a pitch where there was a lot of assistance for pace bowlers.
Thanks to his stunning hundred, the visitors posted 245/10 in their first innings, a total that seemed improbable to get earlier on.
After the close of play on Day 2 in Centurion, Rahul addressed a press conference, where he opened up about his way of dealing with trolls on social media.
Rahul revealed that he found time to work on his "head" during the injury hiatus earlier this year and realised that letting the bat do the talking is a good way of fending off negativity on social media.
"It's difficult, obviously. When you play international cricket, you are challenged as a cricketers, as a person and as an individual each day, each moment. There is the pressure of social media. When you score a hundred, people go 'wow, wow'. But 3-4 months ago, they were abusing me. It's part and parcel of the game," Rahul told reporters.
KL Rahul's resurgence ever since his comeback from an extended injury lay-off has been inspiring. He performed brilliantly in the Asia Cup after getting a last-minute opportunity and carried forward the form into the World Cup. Last week, he led the young Indian team to a 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa.
Shedding light on how he has learnt to deal with trolls, Rahul said every athlete is affected by negative comments and anyone who says otherwise "was lying".
"It does affect you, I won't say it doesn't affect me, But, it's the sooner you realise that your mindset and your game will be better if you stay away from it (negativity on social media). You can perform and be in a better mindset if you slightly know where to draw the line. Nobody is that great that they can completely avoid what is being said and the criticism that they are getting, it does affect each person. Anyone who said it doesn't affect them at all, is lying, I am sure. Each person has to find a way (To deal with it),” he stated.
"For me, during my injury lay-off, I worked on myself, and tried to get back to the person I am. I realised that I shouldn't change myself due to what's being said outside. It's very difficult to remain true to yourself and remain true to your personality when so much is happening.
“But like anything in cricket, like anything else in life, there are ways to work on it, there are people who can people if your mind is open. That's what I did. I worked on myself, worked on remaining calmer and taking care of my head when I was not playing,” he explained.
Rahul further said that the best way to respond to haters is by letting your on-field performances do the talk.
"What will happen by expressing yourself? Nothing will change. People who say things will keep on saying things. I have realised that whatever sport you play, if you are in the public eye, your performance is the only way you can stay away from negative comments. As long as you keep performing, you can keep these things away. You will be happy if you try and stay away from all these things," he remarked.
Rahul's hundred in the Boxing Day Test was overshadowed by Dean Elgar's sensational 140 not out as South Africa finished the second day on 256/5, leading India by 11 runs.
(India Today Inputs)
