IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals (DC) ace wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has broken his silence on the passionate gesture which went viral after his match-winning effort against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Accustomed to presenting himself as the epitome of calmness on the field, Rahul stunned spectators with an emotive and exaggerated gesture that caught everyone’s attention in the cricketing world.
During the IPL showdown, Rahul produced an incredible unbeaten score of 93 runs off a mere 53 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries and six huge sixes, taking DC to a historic win over RCB.
But what really had the fans mesmerized was later — Rahul, with passion boiling over, could be seen slapping his chest, pointing at his jersey and the ground, and knocking on the pitch with his bat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium — a movement that appeared to stake claim for the ground.
Also Read: IPL 2025: ‘TRAITOR!’ MS Dhoni Calls THIS Former CSK Star During Practice Session – Watch Video
In a video posted by DC, Rahul explained the subtext behind the celebration.
This is a sacred place for me. The celebration was motivated by one of my favourite films, Kantara. Just a small reminder that this land, this turf, this place where I have grown up — belongs to me,” he said.
Damn! @KLrahul was referring to KANTARA 🔥🔥🥵🥵pic.twitter.com/G8PCasK13h
— TarunTejSrivatsa (@Extra_Emotions_) April 11, 2025
Kantara, 2022 Kannada blockbuster featuring Rishab Shetty, Sapthami Gowda, and Achyuth Kumar, has an iconic scene where a character makes a dramatic claim over land by driving a sword into the ground. Rahul’s action was a nod to that symbolic gesture, his way of showing affection for the stadium where his cricketing life started.
Also Read: Big Changes Coming To Cricket! ICC Considers ODI Ball Rule Shake-Up – Details Inside
