India vs South Africa: 'Farther you stay away...", KL Rahul opens up on handling social media trolls

KL Rahul revealed he did not pay much heed to criticism directed towards him on social media after scoring a hard-fought 101 on Day 2 of the first Test between South Africa and India in Centurion.

Rahul brought up his eighth Test hundred — his second on the trot at Centurion’s SuperSport Park — after resuming from his overnight score of 70 off 105 deliveries. He was ultimately the last Indian batter to fall as the visitors were bowled out for 245 after being invited to bat by Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma.

When asked about silencing trolls with his superlative knock, Rahul revealed that staying away from social media and not getting too worked up by such negativity was his key to happiness.

“Don’t you ever feel retorting to trolls who are merciless and at times downright out of line when they criticise you?” Rahul was asked.

“What will I achieve (by) doing that? he countered.

“Logon ko jo bolna hoga bolenge (People will say what they want to). If you are a public performer, performance is your only yardstick to stay away from criticism.

“And about social media, the farther you stay away from it, the happier you will be,” a composed Rahul told media persons after scoring what batting legend Sunil Gavaskar described as one of the finest knocks by an Indian in Tests.

“If he (Gavaskar) has said that, it’s a huge compliment,” added Rahul, who was the only batter to cross fifty with Virat Kohli’s 38 the second-highest score among Indian batters.

Centurion at Centurion once again! #KLRahul, TAKE A BOW!#TeamIndia‘s new keeper-batter rises to the occasion & brings up a memorable ton under tough circumstances.

His success mantra – Always #Believe!

Tune in to #SAvIND 1st Test
LIVE NOW | Star Sports Network pic.twitter.com/tYoDZNNJsV

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 27, 2023

Rahul also reflected on his time away from the game due to injury earlier this year, during which he worked on himself. Rahul had suffered a thigh injury during this year’s Indian Premier League and would subsequently miss the World Test Championship final as well as the tour of West Indies.

“When you play international cricket, you are not only challenged as a player but also as a person because you have a personality.

“So, when I was away from the game, I worked on myself as a person. Obviously, there were people to  help me,” he said.

Going back to the topic of online trolls, Rahul admitted that social media comments could have a negative effect on one’s mindset, but it was ultimately up to the individual to avoid such negativity in the first place.

“One who is hailing me today was abusing me some months back.

“Anyone who says he isn’t affected by comments on social media is lying. But the more you stay away, the better it is for your mindset,” he said.

As for South Africa’s solid response with the bat on the second day, with Dean Elgar’s magnificent 140 not out helping the Proteas reach 256/5 at close of play, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter felt the wicket became easier to bat as the match progressed.

Read: Elgar says he wasn’t looking to ‘prove any point with Centurion ton

“Today in the morning, when we’d batted for those 7-8 overs, I felt the wicket had eased a bit. But it can change here quickly with cracks opening out.

“The key to batting in the middle-order and playing long is not to plan too much,” reckoned the 31-year-old.

“You can’t plan that much. There’s a game situation that tells you how to play in that time and moment. You have to remain free and empty. You need to be aware that you might have to bat with tail,” he said.