Forgotten IPL hero eyes World Cup return with the Indian team

Rahul Sharma, who fell off the radar following an arrest during a rave party in 2012, is aiming to make a return to the Indian squad for the 2019 World Cup. Sharma’s alleged involvement in the 2012 Juhu rave party bust-up by Mumbai Police did no good to his reputation and the dramatic fall in his career is often linked to the drug case. The 31-year-old tested positive for consuming recreational drug.

Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continued backing Rahul, his career suffered a severe hit after he was relegated to India A. Following that, he also struggled to find a place in the IPL teams and slowly, he faded out of public memory with 2014 IPL games being his last competitive matches.

Rahul got his India break after successfully plying his trade in the IPL. The leg-break bowler enjoyed fruitful stints in the IPL with Deccan Chargers, Pune Warriors (both defunct teams now), Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings. It was in the 2011 IPL with Pune where Rahul impressed with figures of 4-0-7-2 versus Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium.

Focus on fitness

In that season, he finished with 16 wickets at an economy rate of 5.46. Subsequently, he made his debut in the national team in Indore in the fourth ODI against West Indies in 2011. He managed to play three more ODIs and two T20Is before being dumped by the national selectors.

Speaking about his future, Rahul was quoted by mid-day as saying, “I have not played any competitive cricket for the last two years due to injuries. I have another chance to break into the Punjab team for the limited overs matches if I do well in the district matches which will begin from December 23. I want to concentrate on my fitness and hope I play without any more injuries,”

As he set his sight on getting ready for the 2019 World Cup, Rahul is confident the perception of people towards him will change once he is back on the field.