Team India star KL Rahul reflected on the heartbreak of the 2016 IPL final with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), revealing how it still affects him and then-captain Virat Kohli. RCB, who had never won the IPL title, came agonizingly close to their first-ever victory.
With Kohli having a dream season, scoring a record 973 runs in a single edition, RCB reached the final at their home ground, Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, their bowling attack faltered in the crucial match, as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) posted a challenging 208/7 in 20 overs.
In response, RCB started strong at 114/0 in the 11th over, with Kohli scoring yet another half-century. But a sudden collapse saw them manage only 86 runs in the final 9.4 overs, losing seven wickets and falling short by eight runs.
Recalling the devastating finish in a chat on Star Sports, Rahul shared:
“Virat Kohli and I have discussed the 2016 IPL Final so many times. There is always that reminder that had one of us played a little longer and won that game, it would have been very different.”
“It would have been a fairytale, to be right in the bottom and then win seven games to qualify and go into the final and win the final at home in Chinnaswamy. There wouldn’t have been a better story or better ending.”
Rahul managed just 11 runs off nine balls in the final, as RCB collapsed after a stellar start from Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli.
“Most enjoyed playing with RCB”- KL Rahul
Despite the tough conclusion, KL Rahul admitted that the 2016 season with RCB was the most enjoyable of his IPL career. The 32-year-old first joined the franchise in 2013 but featured in only five games.
However, during his return to RCB in 2016, Rahul played a key role in the team finishing as runners-up, amassing 397 runs at an average of over 44 and a strike rate of 146.49.
“Most enjoyed playing with RCB (2016),” Rahul continued. “You get to spend a lot of time at home. I know the Chinnaswamy really well, I have grown up playing on that ground. So I really enjoyed my time in RCB.”
“(On wanting to be back) Yeah, of course. Bengaluru is home and the people there know me as a local Kanada boy so it would be nice to go back there and get an opportunity again. But it’s an auction year so can go anywhere.”
Rahul missed the 2017 IPL season due to a shoulder injury and subsequently moved to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2018. Since the heartbreaking loss in 2016, RCB has not made it to the final again.
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