Kannaur Lokesh Rahul, popularly known as KL Rahul and often nicknamed “King” by fans, is a prominent Indian cricketer who plays as a right-handed wicket-keeper batsman. Born on 18 April 1992 in Bangalore, Karnataka, Rahul has established himself as one of India’s most versatile and technically proficient batsmen across all formats. He currently represents Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Karnataka in domestic cricket.
Rahul’s cricketing journey began at a young age, training from the age of 10 and progressing steadily through junior cricket. He made his first-class debut for Karnataka in the 2010–11 season and was a key member of India’s Under-19 squad at the 2010 ICC Under-19 World Cup. He rapidly rose through the ranks with impressive domestic performances, including becoming Karnataka’s first triple-centurion with a massive 337-run innings. His success in the domestic circuit paved the way for his international debut.
Rahul made his Test debut for India in December 2014 during the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Though his debut innings were modest, he soon announced himself with a maiden Test century at Sydney, showcasing his adaptability and temperament against top-quality bowling. Over the next few years, Rahul established himself as a reliable top-order batsman, known for his elegant strokeplay, solid technique, and ability to perform under pressure in diverse conditions.
In June 2016, Rahul made a memorable One-Day International (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe, scoring an unbeaten century, 115 off 94 balls, becoming the first Indian to score a century on ODI debut. This innings was notable for its composure and a six on the last ball, which was the only six in the entire match. He quickly became a key player in limited-overs cricket, with the ability to accelerate innings while also anchoring when needed. Rahul made his T20 International debut on the same tour, later becoming the first Indian to score a T20I century batting at number four or lower.
Throughout his career, Rahul has displayed remarkable versatility, batting at various positions from opener to number five and even keeping wickets when required. His elegant yet effective batting style combines classical technique with modern attacking strokes, earning him accolades as one of India’s premier batsmen. He is also known for quick running between the wickets and sound judgment under pressure.
Rahul’s international career has had ups and downs, including a suspension in early 2019 due to controversial comments, but he made a strong comeback, consistently scoring runs and serving as vice-captain of India’s limited-overs teams. He led India as captain in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is on multiple occasions, reflecting the team management’s trust in his leadership and cricketing acumen. Notably, he captained India in the Test series against South Africa in 2021–22 and was appointed captain of the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
In the Indian Premier League, Rahul made his debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013 before moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad and then Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab), where he enjoyed prolific seasons, including scoring the fastest fifty in IPL history in 2018 (14 balls) and winning the Orange Cap in 2020 for scoring the most runs that season. In 2022, he was bought by Lucknow Super Giants as captain for a record fee, further cementing his status as a top-tier franchise player.
Rahul has scored 17 international centuries across formats: eight in Tests, seven in ODIs, and two in T20Is. His ability to perform consistently in all formats highlights his adaptability and skill. He is also the first Indian to score a century on ODI debut and holds records such as the fastest fifty in T20 World Cup history.
Off the field, Rahul married actress Athiya Shetty, daughter of Bollywood star Sunil Shetty, in January 2023. The couple welcomed their daughter Evaarah in March 2025.
KL Rahul’s combination of technical excellence, leadership skills, and ability to perform under pressure has made him a central figure in Indian cricket. Known for his calm demeanor and sharp cricketing intellect, he continues to be an important player for India across formats and a respected leader both on and off the field.
Kannaur Lokesh Rahul’s club career is a journey of growth, consistency, and leadership that spans domestic cricket in India and the high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL). From his early days in Karnataka’s domestic circuit to captaining top IPL franchises, Rahul has evolved into one of the premier batsmen and leaders in Indian cricket.
Rahul’s professional cricket career began with Karnataka in the 2010–11 domestic season. As a young talent, he quickly gained attention for his batting prowess, technical skill, and temperament. In his early first-class matches, Rahul demonstrated the ability to play long innings, solidifying his reputation as a dependable top-order batsman. His breakthrough moment came during the 2014–15 Ranji Trophy season when he became Karnataka’s first-ever triple-centurion, scoring a mammoth 337 runs against Uttar Pradesh. This innings showcased his patience, concentration, and ability to dominate bowling attacks over extended periods. He followed this with a strong performance in the Ranji final that season, scoring 188 runs against Tamil Nadu and finishing the campaign with an impressive average of 93.11 across nine matches.
In addition to the Ranji Trophy, Rahul performed notably in the Duleep Trophy, representing South Zone. His standout performance in the 2014–15 final, scoring 185 and 130 in two innings, earned him the Player of the Match award and reinforced his status as one of India’s most promising batsmen. These consistent domestic displays paved the way for his international debut and IPL opportunities.
Rahul entered the IPL in 2013 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). His debut season allowed him to gain valuable experience alongside international stars. However, it was in subsequent IPL seasons that he truly began to establish himself as a prolific run-scorer. Ahead of the 2014 IPL, Rahul was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 1 crore. During the 2016 IPL season, he returned to RCB and became the team’s third-highest run-scorer, amassing 397 runs from 14 matches. His performances that year earned him places in both the ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz IPL XI teams, reflecting his growing importance in the league. Unfortunately, Rahul missed the entire 2017 IPL season due to a shoulder injury, a setback that temporarily stalled his momentum.
The 2018 IPL auction marked a turning point in Rahul’s club career. Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) bought him for INR 11 crore, making him the joint-third highest-paid player in the tournament that year. Rahul justified this investment by delivering a series of exceptional performances. He scored the fastest fifty in IPL history at that time, reaching the milestone in just 14 balls, breaking the previous record held by Sunil Narine. Rahul finished the season with 659 runs at a strike rate of 158.41 and an average of 54.91, ranking third in the tournament’s run-scoring charts. His contributions were vital to Punjab’s competitive showing, and he was named in both the Cricinfo and Cricbuzz IPL XI for the season.
Rahul’s form continued in the 2019 IPL season, where he was named Punjab’s vice-captain and scored his maiden IPL century, an unbeaten 100 off 64 balls against Mumbai Indians. He scored 593 runs in the season with an average of 53.90, maintaining his status as one of the league’s most consistent performers.
Ahead of the 2020 IPL season, Rahul was appointed captain of Punjab, replacing Ravichandran Ashwin, who was traded to Delhi Capitals. Rahul led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 132 against RCB — then the highest individual score by an Indian batsman in the IPL. He finished the tournament as the Orange Cap winner, scoring 670 runs, and was also named the Dream11 Gamechanger of the Season. His leadership and batting made Punjab a formidable side that year.
Rahul retained the captaincy for the 2021 IPL season, again finishing as Punjab’s highest run-scorer with 626 runs. His calm and composed captaincy, combined with match-winning performances, solidified his leadership credentials.
In 2022, Rahul moved to a newly formed franchise, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who bought him as captain for INR 17 crore, making him the joint highest-paid player alongside Virat Kohli. Rahul started his tenure with LSG strongly, scoring back-to-back unbeaten centuries against Mumbai Indians. He finished the debut season as the team’s top scorer with 616 runs at an average of 51.33, leading them to the playoffs in their inaugural campaign.
Rahul was retained as LSG captain for the 2023 season but was sidelined mid-tournament due to injury. The 2024 season saw Rahul scoring 520 runs, including four half-centuries, but the team failed to qualify for the playoffs. Rahul faced public criticism from the franchise’s owner following a heavy defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Ahead of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction, Rahul was released by Lucknow and was bought by Delhi Capitals for INR 14 crore, marking the next phase of his club career. With Delhi Capitals, Rahul aims to bring his wealth of experience and leadership to a competitive squad seeking IPL success.
KL Rahul’s international career began in 2014 when he made his Test debut for India during the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Although his first innings yielded modest scores, he quickly demonstrated his potential by scoring his maiden Test century in the following match at Sydney. This early success established Rahul as a promising top-order batsman capable of adapting to challenging overseas conditions.
In 2016, Rahul made a historic One Day International (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe, scoring an unbeaten 100*, becoming the first Indian cricketer to score a century on ODI debut. His innings was remarkable for its composure and finishing strength, highlighted by a six on the last ball to reach his century. This performance earned him the Man of the Series award and solidified his place in India’s limited-overs squads. On the same tour, Rahul made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut, adding another format to his international experience.
Rahul quickly adapted across formats, showcasing versatility in both Test and limited-overs cricket. In T20Is, he became the first Indian to score a century batting at number four or lower, achieving this feat against the West Indies in 2016. He continued to score runs consistently, displaying elegant strokeplay and sound technique.
Despite several interruptions, including injuries and a suspension in early 2019 following controversial comments on a talk show, Rahul bounced back strongly. He returned to the team with significant contributions in ODI and T20I matches, reaffirming his status as a key player.
In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Rahul played a vital role in India’s batting lineup, scoring 361 runs, including a century and two fifties. He often opened the innings, adapting fluidly to team requirements and conditions. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed proved invaluable in high-pressure matches.
Rahul’s Test career saw ups and downs, including being dropped due to form issues, but he consistently returned with notable performances. He scored multiple Test centuries, including a career-best 199 against England in 2016 and crucial knocks during India’s tours of England and South Africa. Rahul’s technique and temperament in challenging overseas conditions, especially in England, earned praise from experts.
In leadership roles, Rahul has been entrusted with vice-captaincy in limited-overs formats and has captained India in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is during Rohit Sharma’s and Virat Kohli’s absences. His captaincy debut in Tests came against South Africa in 2021, where he scored a century in his first match as captain. While his captaincy record includes mixed results, it reflects the team management’s confidence in his leadership abilities.
KL Rahul’s style of play is marked by a blend of technical precision and aggressive shot-making, making him one of India’s most versatile batsmen. As a right-handed batter, he has a solid and balanced stance, allowing him to play both front-foot drives and back-foot punches with ease. His technique is strong against both pace and spin bowling, which helps him adapt to different conditions around the world.
In Test cricket, Rahul often plays the role of an anchor, using patience and good shot selection to build innings. He carefully assesses the bowlers and waits for the right deliveries to score runs, showing excellent footwork and soft hands to control the ball’s movement. His ability to leave balls outside off-stump and defend solidly helps him minimise risks in tough situations.
In limited-overs formats (ODIs and T20s), Rahul’s approach becomes more aggressive and dynamic. He uses quick foot movement to get into position for attacking shots like pulls, cuts, and lofted drives. Rahul is known for his ability to accelerate the run rate, especially in the middle and death overs, by playing innovative shots like scoops and reverse sweeps. His calmness under pressure allows him to finish games effectively, even when chasing challenging totals.
As a wicket-keeper batsman, Rahul adds value by combining his batting skills with competent wicket-keeping. Behind the stumps, he shows quick reflexes, clean glove work, and agility, which contribute to taking catches and effecting stumpings.
Rahul’s fitness and athleticism also make him a strong presence in the field. He covers ground quickly, has a strong throwing arm, and is alert to opportunities for run outs, enhancing his overall contribution to the team.
Kannaur Lokesh Rahul, widely known as KL Rahul, was born on 18 April 1992 in Bangalore, Karnataka, into a family with a strong academic background. His father, Dr. K.N. Lokesh, is a professor and former director at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) in Mangalore, and his mother, Rajeshwari, is a history professor at Mangalore University. Growing up in such an environment, Rahul was encouraged to value education and discipline from an early age. He completed his schooling at NITK English Medium School in Mangalore and pursued his Pre-University Course at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. Later, he moved to Bangalore to study at Jain University, where he balanced academics with a growing passion for cricket.
Rahul’s early exposure to education and sports helped shape his disciplined approach to cricket. He began training seriously at the age of 10 and played for local clubs such as the Bangalore United Cricket Club and a club in Mangalore. This early experience allowed him to hone his skills in competitive settings. His family’s encouragement and his academic upbringing gave him a strong foundation to pursue cricket professionally while maintaining a grounded personality.
In his personal life, Rahul’s journey has seen significant milestones beyond cricket. In January 2019, he began a relationship with Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty, daughter of well-known actor Suniel Shetty. Their relationship, initially kept private, gradually became public, drawing interest from media and fans alike. On 23 January 2023, Rahul and Athiya married in an intimate ceremony at Suniel Shetty’s farmhouse in Khandala. The wedding was attended by close family, friends, and colleagues from both the cricketing world and the film industry, symbolising the union of two prominent families from different fields.
The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Evaarah, on 24 March 2025. The name Evaarah, meaning “a new beginning,” was chosen after discussions involving both Rahul and Athiya’s families. Rahul shared that initially, he had to convince Athiya to agree on the name, but eventually, it was embraced by both families. The birth of their daughter marked a joyous new chapter in Rahul’s personal life, adding to his sense of responsibility and happiness.
KL Rahul is celebrated for his elegant strokeplay and remarkable versatility, excelling across all formats of cricket. He adapts seamlessly to various roles, whether opening the innings, batting in the middle order, or performing as a wicket-keeper, demonstrating a strong team-first attitude and deep cricketing intelligence.
His calmness and composure under pressure allow him to deliver consistent performances in crucial moments, often changing the course of matches. Rahul’s leadership skills have been evident through his captaincy roles in international cricket and the Indian Premier League, where he has shown strategic thinking and the ability to motivate and unify his team.
Resilience is a defining feature of Rahul’s career. He has faced and overcome injuries, dips in form, and off-field controversies, returning stronger each time. This mental toughness and commitment highlight his dedication to the game and personal growth.
Off the field, Rahul maintains a grounded and balanced lifestyle, managing the pressures of fame while prioritising his family and personal well-being. His professionalism and humility make him a respected figure and role model for young cricketers aspiring to succeed at the highest level.
Awards and Recognition
International Achievements with India
ICC Team Selections
Domestic and Franchise Achievements
Individual Awards and Recognitions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KL_Rahul | Wikipedia
https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/kl-rahul-422108 | ESPN Cricinfo
https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/8733/kl-rahul | Cricbuzz
https://www.business-standard.com/about/who-is-kl-rahul | Business Standard
https://crictoday.com/cricket/series/kl-rahul/ | Crictoday
https://ipltable.in/ipl-2024-teams-list/lucknow-super-giants/kl-rahul/ | IPLtable
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10082583/bio/ | IMBd
https://www.iplt20.com/teams/delhi-capitals/squad-details/1125 | Indian Premier League
https://sportsmatik.com/sports-stars/k-l-rahul-2090 | Sportsmatik
https://pantheon.world/profile/person/K._L._Rahul | Pantheon World
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