KL Rahul
| KL Rahul | |
|---|---|
| |
| Full name | Kannanur Lokesh Rahul |
| Born | 18 April 1992 Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Role | Batsman, Wicket-keeper |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| Teams | India, Karnataka, Delhi Capitals |
| Spouse | Athiya Shetty (m. 2023) |
| Parents | K. N. Lokesh (father) Rajeshwari (mother) |
Kannanur Lokesh Rahul (born 18 April 1992), popularly known as KL Rahul, is an Indian international cricketer who plays as a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. Known for his elegant batting technique and versatility, Rahul has represented the Indian national cricket team in all formats of the game.
He has also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for several franchises and is regarded as one of the most consistent top-order batsmen in modern Indian cricket.
Early Life
KL Rahul was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and spent much of his childhood in Mangalore. His father, K. N. Lokesh, is a professor and former director at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), while his mother Rajeshwari is a professor at Mangalore University.[1]
Rahul’s father was a great admirer of legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. When Rahul was born, his father wanted to name him after Gavaskar’s son, Rohan Gavaskar, but mistakenly thought the name was Rahul. The name eventually stayed.
Rahul developed an interest in cricket at a young age and began formal training when he was about ten years old.[2]
Education
KL Rahul completed his schooling at NITK English Medium School in Surathkal. He later attended St. Aloysius College in Mangalore for his pre-university education.[3]
After finishing school, Rahul moved to Bengaluru to study at Jain University while pursuing professional cricket training.
Domestic Career
KL Rahul made his first-class debut for Karnataka during the 2010–11 season. He was also part of the Indian squad in the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.[4]
His breakthrough came during the 2013–14 Ranji Trophy season when he scored over 1,000 runs and helped Karnataka win the tournament. Rahul was named Player of the Match in the final for his outstanding performance.
He later scored a triple century (337) in the Ranji Trophy, becoming the first Karnataka player to achieve this milestone.[5]
International Career
KL Rahul made his Test debut for India in the 2014 Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He scored his maiden Test century during the same tour in Sydney.
He made his One Day International (ODI) debut in 2016 against Zimbabwe and scored a century in his very first match, becoming the first Indian cricketer to score a hundred on ODI debut.
Later that year, Rahul scored a T20 International century against the West Indies, becoming one of the fastest players to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket.
Over the years, Rahul has played crucial roles in India’s batting lineup and has occasionally served as captain and vice-captain of the national team.
Indian Premier League
KL Rahul made his IPL debut in 2013 with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Over the years, he has represented several IPL teams including:
- Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Punjab Kings
- Lucknow Super Giants
- Delhi Capitals
He has been one of the most consistent run-scorers in the IPL and has multiple seasons with over 500 runs. In 2018, he scored the fastest half-century in IPL history at the time, reaching fifty in just 14 balls.
Rahul also served as captain of the Lucknow Super Giants from 2022 to 2024.
Playing Style
KL Rahul is known for his technically sound batting and elegant stroke play. He is capable of playing both aggressive and defensive roles depending on the situation.
Apart from batting, Rahul is also a skilled wicket-keeper and has frequently performed the role for India in limited-overs formats.
His ability to adapt to different batting positions makes him a valuable player for the team.
Records and Achievements
Some of KL Rahul’s notable achievements include:
- First Indian cricketer to score a century on ODI debut
- One of the fastest players to score centuries in all three international formats
- One of the most consistent run-scorers in the IPL
- Scored a triple century (337) in the Ranji Trophy for Karnataka
Personal Life
KL Rahul married Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty, daughter of actor Suniel Shetty, on 23 January 2023. Their wedding was held in a private ceremony at Suniel Shetty’s residence in Khandala.
The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in March 2025.
Rahul is also known for his love of tattoos and has more than twenty tattoos on his body.
Physical Appearance
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Eye colour: Dark Brown
- Hair colour: Black
Net Worth
KL Rahul’s estimated net worth is reported to be over ₹100 crore. His income comes from international cricket contracts, IPL salaries, and brand endorsements.
Legacy
KL Rahul is regarded as one of the most stylish batsmen of his generation. His versatility as both a top-order batsman and wicket-keeper has made him an important player for the Indian cricket team in international tournaments and franchise cricket.