January 30th marked the return of Indian top-order batsman KL Rahul to domestic cricket. Playing in his very first Ranji game since February 2020, Rahul received a warm reception from the Chinnaswamy Stadium crowd who were right behind him chanting “Rahul, Rahul”.
The Karnataka opener started off on a positive note striking a flurry of boundaries and forming a vital partnership with the skipper Mayank Aggarwal at the top of the order. However, Rahul could not score big and was dismissed after scoring 26 in 37 balls. The CSK speedster Anshul Kamboj who was acquired by the franchise for Rs 3.40 crore in the mega-auction had Rahul dismissed during the 34th over of the Karnataka innings on day one.
Anshul Kamboj gets the better of Rahul in the post-lunch session
Being the highest wicket-taker for Haryana this season, Kamboj delivered a peach of a delivery which had Rahul fend at a good length ball which resulted in a simple regulation catch for the keeper Rohit Sharma. Kamjon carried on his impressive form in that innings and accounted for three more scalps including the prize wickets of Aneesh, Prasidh, and Kaverappa.
KL Rahul dismissed for 26(37) with 4 fours on his Ranji Trophy return by Anshul Kamboj.#KLRahul #RanjiTrophy #RanjiTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/Elej4vlw7f
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) January 30, 2025
Rahul was last seen in action in the Ranji Trophy in the quarterfinals against Bengal at Eden Gardens where he returned dismal scores of 26 & 0. His comeback to the Ranji Trophy this season was delayed due to an elbow injury. The ongoing clash between Karnataka and Haryana has moved to day two. Mayank’s defiant 91 put Karnataka in a decent position as they finished with a score of 304. In reply, Haryana has looked resolute at 111/1 and have their skipper Ankit Rajesh Kumar unbeaten on 69.
