"Virat Kohli and I have discussed the 2016 IPL Final so many times" - KL Rahul opens up about RCB's heartbreak
Team India star KL Rahul opened up about the 2016 IPL final heart-break with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and how it still lingers for him and the then-skipper Virat Kohli. Having never won the IPL title, RCB were as close as they had ever been to achieving ultimate glory.
On the back of a dream season by Kohli, where he scored a single-edition record 973 runs, RCB qualified for the final to be played at home in the Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, come the big game, their Achilles heel - the bowling came apart as the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) amassed 208/7 in 20 overs.
In reply, RCB was coasting at 114/0 in the 11th over with Kohli reaching yet another half-century. However, an untimely collapse saw them score only 86 runs in the final 9.4 overs for the loss of seven wickets and thereby suffering an eight-run defeat.
Reflecting on the heart-breaking finish in a conversation on Star Sports, Rahul said:
"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 scored only 11 off nine deliveries in the final as the RCB disintegrated after a sensational start from Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli.
""Most enjoyed playing with RCB"" - KL Rahul
Despite the disappointing ending, KL Rahul acknowledged enjoying the 2016 season with RCB the most in his IPL career.
The 32-year-old was part of the franchise in his maiden season in 2013 but played only five games. However, on his return to RCB in 2016, Rahul played a massive role in the side finishing runners-up, scoring 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 moved on to play for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2018.
Meanwhile, RCB has yet to qualify for the final since the heartbreaking ending in 2016.