‘That interview scarred me massively’ – KL Rahul on life after infamous ‘Koffee with Karan’ episode

Star Indian cricketers KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya appeared on a now-deleted infamous ‘Koffee with Karan’ episode that aired in 2019, which later led to their suspension from Indian Cricket over some of their remarks being deemed inappropriate and offensive by viewers. Five years later, a changed and more mature KL Rahul recalls what happened after the episode aired and how his life turned upside down.

At that time, when that episode made headlines within the Indian cricket fraternity and fans, KL and Pandya were in Australia. The controversy erupted, cutting short their stay Down Under as BCCI recalled the pair home.

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Appearing on Nikhil Kamath's YouTube podcast, featuring guests Kriti Sanon and Badshah, KL Rahul candidly discussed how that episode profoundly impacted his life. The India keeper-batter Rahul admitted that the interview left him deeply scarred and changed him as a person.

"I used to be good with trolling. I used to think I don't care. I was much younger back then. A couple of years back, I was exposed to a lot of trolling. If I sat I got trolled, if I stood I got trolled," Rahul said.

"The interview was a different world. That changed me. Completely changed me. I was a very soft-spoken person growing up. Then I played for India and became very confident. People will know I have been in a room of 100 people.”

"Now I don't because that interview scarred me massively. Getting suspended from the team. I have never been suspended in school, or punished in school. I don't know how to handle it. I did mischief in schools, but nothing to get me expelled from school or my parents have come," Rahul noted.

Life afterwards

Meanwhile, KL and Hardik have come a long way since that episode. While Hardik was appointed the ODI vice-captain for the 2023 World Cup, later replacing Rohit Sharma as the new captain of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, Rahul became the first-choice keeper-batter in the One-Day format.

Both played handy roles in the ODI World Cup last year, helping the hosts reach the final. Though Pandya got ruled out during the Bangladesh tie, KL Rahul was among the runs, besides getting acknowledged for his wicket-keeping.

KL and Pandya are in the fray for spots in the ODI side for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

(With inputs from agencies)