KL Rahul is one of India’s most technically gifted and versatile cricketers known for his elegant stroke play adaptability and composure under pressure His journey filled with highs and lows is a testament to his resilience and determination
Early Life and Domestic Career
Full Name Kannur Lokesh Rahul
Date of Birth April 18 1992
Place of Birth Bangalore Karnataka India
Batting Style Right-Handed
Bowling Style Right-arm medium (rarely bowls)
Role Wicketkeeper-batsman
Born in Bangalore and raised in Mangalore KL Rahul showed an inclination towards cricket from a young age His father a professor named him after legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar’s son “Rohan” though mistakenly thinking his name was “Rahul”
Rahul honed his cricketing skills at the Karnataka Institute of Cricket and quickly rose through the ranks He made his first-class debut for Karnataka in 2010 and within a few years he became one of the most promising batsmen in domestic cricket His breakthrough came during the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy season where he amassed 1033 runs catching the selectors’ attention
International Debut and Rise in Test Cricket
Test Debut December 26 2014 vs Australia (Melbourne)
KL Rahul made his Test debut during India’s tour of Australia in 2014-15 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Though he had a forgettable first match scoring just 3 and 1 he quickly redeemed himself with a stunning century (110) in only his second Test at Sydney
Rahul’s ability to play long innings and his technique against pace and spin made him a reliable choice in India’s Test squad Over the years he played several memorable knocks including
199 vs England (2016) A near-double century in Chennai showcasing his class
149 vs England (2018) A fighting knock at The Oval despite India’s series loss
101 vs South Africa (2021) A gritty century in Centurion helping India secure a historic win
As an opener Rahul formed partnerships with players like Rohit Sharma and his adaptability allowed India to succeed in challenging overseas conditions
ODI Career A Reliable Middle-Order Batsman
ODI Debut June 11 2016 vs Zimbabwe
KL Rahul made an immediate impact in ODIs by becoming the first Indian batsman to score a century (100*) on debut However despite this remarkable start his role in the ODI setup was uncertain for a while
It wasn’t until 2019 that Rahul cemented his place in the Indian ODI team His versatility allowed him to bat at various positions—opening No 4 and even No 5—as per the team’s requirements
Key ODI Performances
112 vs New Zealand (2020) A brilliant innings under pressure in Mount Maunganui
111 vs England (2022) A crucial knock at Lord’s helping India set up a win
97 vs Australia (2023 World Cup)* A match-winning knock in the tournament opener
Rahul’s ability to accelerate the innings or play the anchor role makes him one of the most dependable ODI batsmen
T20I Career The Stylish Striker
T20I Debut June 18 2016 vs Zimbabwe
Rahul is one of India’s most prolific T20I batters with a blend of consistency and aggression He holds the record for one of the fastest centuries in T20Is by an Indian (110* off 51 balls vs West Indies in 2016)
Notable T20I Performances
101 vs England (2018)* A match-winning century in Manchester
91 vs Sri Lanka (2020) A dominating knock in Indore
98 vs South Africa (2022)* A stunning innings filled with power-hitting
His aggressive yet elegant batting style makes him a crucial asset in India’s T20 squad often opening alongside Rohit Sharma
Indian Premier League (IPL) Success
KL Rahul has been one of the most consistent performers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) He started his IPL journey with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2013 later playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad before becoming a star for Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Rahul captained Punjab Kings from 2020-2021 and was among the highest run-scorers in multiple seasons
2020 IPL 670 runs Orange Cap winner
2021 IPL 626 runs continued as Punjab’s top performer
2022 IPL Joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and scored over 600 runs
IPL 2025 Move to Delhi Capitals
For the IPL 2025 season Rahul has been signed by Delhi Capitals where he is expected to be a key figure However he has opted not to take the captaincy with Axar Patel likely leading the side
Challenges Injuries and Comebacks
Despite his success Rahul has faced challenges
Injuries Multiple injuries have hampered his career especially in 2023 when he missed key matches including parts of the World Cup
Inconsistency While he has played many memorable knocks his inconsistency in big tournaments has been criticized
Strike Rate Debate In T20s his strike rate has been questioned with some critics arguing that he should play more aggressively
Despite these setbacks Rahul has always bounced back stronger proving his worth time and again
Recent Achievements 2024-2025
KL Rahul played a crucial role in India’s recent Champions Trophy win in March 2025
Champions Trophy Final March 9 2025 Rahul remained unbeaten at 34 guiding India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand
India vs Australia Test Series November 2024 Rahul silenced critics with a crucial 89 in Perth
With his current form and experience Rahul continues to be an integral part of India’s cricketing plans for the 2025-26 season
Legacy and Future Prospects
At 32 KL Rahul is at the peak of his career With a mix of experience and skill he is expected to be a vital part of India’s squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup
Rahul’s ability to play across formats keep wickets and adapt to different roles makes him invaluable Whether in Tests ODIs or T20Is his contribution to Indian cricket is undeniable
Final Thoughts
KL Rahul’s journey from a promising young cricketer to a key player in the Indian team is inspiring With his el
egant batting strong mindset and leadership skills he is set to achieve even greater milestones in the years to come