Who Is KL Rahul From IPL: All About Him

Listen to this article

KL Rahul, whose full name is Kannur Lokesh Rahul, is a highly accomplished Indian cricketer known for his stylish and technically sound batting. Born on April 18, 1992, in Mangalore, Karnataka, Rahul has established himself as a versatile player across all formats of the game. 

Rahul made his international debut in Test cricket against Australia in December 2014, showcasing his potential with a commendable performance. Since then, he has consistently contributed with the bat in Test, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I) formats. Known for his consistency and adaptability, Rahul has played crucial roles as an opener and middle-order batsman, earning praise for his technique and temperament. You can read about 4Ra Bet winning tricks, train your brain! 

KL Rahul’s Biography

KL Rahul was born on April 18, 1992, in Bangalore, in a middle-class family. He is the son of K. N. Lokesh and Rajeshwari. His father, Lokesh, a professor and former director at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) in Mangalore, originally intended to name his son after cricketer Sunil Gavaskar’s son. However, in a twist of fate, he mistakenly chose the name Rahul, thinking it was the name of Sunil Gavaskar’s son when it was Rohan. Rahul’s mother tongue is Kannada.

Education

Growing up in Mangalore, Rahul completed his high school education at NITK English Medium School and pursued his pre-university studies at St. Aloysius College. His early cricketing journey began at the age of 10 when he started training, and by the age of 12, he was already actively participating in matches for both Bangalore United Cricket Club and his local club in Mangalore. At the age of 18, Rahul made a significant move to Bangalore, where he enrolled at Jain University to further his education and simultaneously pursue his burgeoning cricket career. This transition marked a crucial phase in his life, laying the foundation for his subsequent rise as a prominent figure in Indian cricket.

Family

His father, K. N. Lokesh, is a professor and a former director at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) in Mangalore. Rahul’s mother, Rajeshwari, is a professor at Mangalore University. The family has its roots in Kannanur, Magadi taluk. 

KL Rahul has a younger sister named Bhavna. On Twitter, Rahul wrote that Bhavna is a master in the art of being annoying, protective, and loving.

Relationship

KL Rahul entered a new chapter in his life by marrying his girlfriend Athiya Shetty on January 23, 2023. The couple’s relationship became public around 2019, and they were frequently spotted together, often captured by paparazzi. Rahul and Athiya shared adorable pictures of themselves during their dating period, and both Athiya and her father, Suniel Shetty, were seen supporting Rahul from the stands during his cricket matches.

Athiya Shetty is a well-known Bollywood actress and the daughter of the renowned actor Suniel Shetty. Her debut film was the 2015 release “Hero,” in which she starred alongside Sooraj Pancholi. Athiya has since been a part of several films, including “Mubarakan” (2017), “Nawabzaade” (2018), and her most recent work, “Motichoor Chaknachoor” (2019).

The wedding festivities commenced on January 21, 2023, leading up to the private ceremony held at Suniel Shetty’s farmhouse in Khandala on January 23. Post the wedding, Suniel Shetty and his son Ahan Shetty greeted the media, officially announcing the joyous news of Rahul and Athiya entering into the sacred bond of marriage. The couple’s union marked a significant moment in both their personal lives, and their relationship garnered attention from fans and the media alike.

KL Rahul’s Career In Cricket

In the IPL, Rahul started with RCB in 2013, moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014, and returned to RCB in 2016. In the 2018 IPL Auction, he was bought by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for INR 11 crore. Rahul made a significant impact in the 2018 season, scoring the fastest 50 in IPL history and finishing as the third-highest run-scorer. He continued his success in the 2019 season, scoring his maiden IPL century and finishing with 593 runs.

Rahul’s stint with Punjab Kings saw him taking on the role of captaincy in 2020. He had a remarkable season, scoring an unbeaten 132*, the most runs by an Indian batsman in an IPL match. In IPL 2020, he won the Orange Cap for being the leading run-scorer and was named the Dream 11 Game Changer of the season.

Ahead of the 2022 IPL season, Rahul moved to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and was appointed captain for a record INR 17 crore. He had a phenomenal debut season for LSG, scoring two unbeaten centuries and leading the team to the playoffs. Rahul continued as the captain for LSG in the 2023 season but unfortunately had to be ruled out mid-tournament due to an injury sustained while fielding. 

International Career

KL Rahul made his Test debut during the 2014 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, replacing Rohit Sharma. Despite a modest start with scores of 3 and 1 in his debut, Rahul quickly showcased his potential in the next Test at Sydney, scoring an impressive 110 in the second innings. He continued to make a mark in Test cricket, earning accolades for his performances against Sri Lanka and in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where he notched up his career-best score of 199.

In the limited-overs formats, Rahul made a sensational entry into One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Zimbabwe in 2016, becoming the first Indian cricketer to score a century on his ODI debut. His versatility was further highlighted in T20 Internationals (T20Is), where he achieved the distinction of being the fastest batsman to score centuries in all three formats of the game, surpassing the previous record held by Ahmed Shehzad.

Despite a brief suspension in early 2019 due to controversial comments made on a talk show, Rahul bounced back and played a crucial role in India’s 2019 Cricket World Cup campaign. He finished as India’s third-highest run-scorer in the tournament, displaying his adaptability by opening the innings.

In the subsequent years, Rahul continued to excel across formats, captaining the Indian team in various instances. His contributions in T20Is, especially in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he emerged as India’s highest run-scorer, showcased his leadership and batting prowess. Rahul’s career also saw him take on vice-captaincy roles in T20Is and ODIs, emphasizing his growing stature in Indian cricket. His form has had its ups and downs, but Rahul remains a vital asset for the Indian cricket team, contributing with both the bat and as a leader in various capacities.

Injuries And Breaks in Career

KL Rahul has faced several injury setbacks in recent times. In December 2022, he injured his hand during a practice session ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. Fortunately, the injury was not severe enough to rule him out of the game.

However, a more significant blow occurred in May 2023 during an IPL 2023 match when Rahul suffered a right thigh muscle injury while chasing after a ball. This injury forced him to undergo surgery, resulting in him missing the remainder of the IPL season, the World Test Championship final, and the subsequent tours of West Indies and Ireland. The injury was described as severe.

During his recovery process, Rahul spent considerable time at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, engaging in match simulations and practice games to prove his fitness. Despite showing significant dedication to his rehabilitation, he encountered another obstacle just days before the Asia Cup 2023 selection. A minor injury prompted him to miss the first two group-stage games of the tournament. However, after being reassessed on September 4th and successfully clearing his fitness test, Rahul was able to join the Indian team in Kandy, Sri Lanka, for the remainder of the Asia Cup.

KL Rahul’s Stats

KL Rahul’s cricket career spans Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and the Indian Premier League (IPL). Here’s a summary of his career milestones based on the provided information:

Test Career:

• Debut: vs Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, 2014.
• Last Test: vs Australia at Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 17, 2023.

ODI Career:

• Debut: vs Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on June 11, 2016.
• Last ODI: vs South Africa at Eden Gardens on November 05, 2023.

T20I Career:

• Debut: vs Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on June 18, 2016.
• Last T20I: vs England at Adelaide Oval on November 10, 2022.

IPL Career:

• Debut: vs Kolkata Knight Riders at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 11, 2013.
• Last IPL: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on May 01, 2023.

Summary

	Test	ODI	T20	IPL
Matches	47	69	72	118
Innings	81	65	68	109
No Ball	2	13	8	20
Runs	2642	2536	2265	4163
Highest Score	199	112	110	132
Balls Faced	5116	2921	1628	3097
Strike Rate	51.64	86.82	139.13	134.42
200s	0	0	0	0
100s	7	6	2	4
50s	13	13	22	33
Fours	318	166	191	355
Sixes	18	48	99	168

KL Rahul’s Centuries

KL Rahul has scored 15 international centuries: 7 in Test, 6 in ODI, and 2 in T20 Cricket. 

KL Rahul’s Centuries in Test: 

Date	Versus	Score
6 January 2015	Australia	110
20 August 2015	Sri Lanka	108
30 July 2016	West Indies	101
16 December 2016	England	199
7 September 2018	England	149
12 August 2021	England	129
26 December 2021	South Africa	123

KL Rahul’s Centuries in ODI: 

Date	Versus	Score
11 June 2016	Zimbabwe	100
6 July 2019	Sri Lanka	111
18 December 2019	West Indies	102
11 February 2020	New Zealand	112
26 March 2021	England	108
September 11 2023	Pakistan	111

KL Rahul’s Centuries in T20s: 

Date	Versus	Score
27 August 2016	West Indies	110
3 July 2018	England	101

Awards And Best Results

KL Rahul has had an impressive and illustrious career with several notable achievements. Some of the highlights include:

• Triple Century in Ranji Trophy (2014-15): KL Rahul made history by becoming the first batsman from Karnataka to score a triple century in the Ranji Trophy during the 2014-15 season. This remarkable innings showcased his ability to excel in the longer format of the game.
• ODI Debut Century (2016): In 2016, KL Rahul made a stunning debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) by becoming the first Indian batsman to score a century on debut. This achievement solidified his position in the limited-overs format.
• Fastest Century in T20s (2016): KL Rahul demonstrated his aggressive batting style by scoring the fastest century in T20 international cricket by an Indian. Despite being in a losing cause, he reached the milestone off just 46 balls, showcasing his ability to play explosive innings.
• Consistent Opening Performances (ODIs and Tests): KL Rahul is the only batsman to score a hundred in the first innings as an opener in both ODIs and Tests. This versatility and consistency at the top of the order underline his adaptability across formats.
• T20I Century Batting at Number 4 or Lower (2016): KL Rahul became the first player in T20I history to score a century (110*) while batting at number 4 position or lower, showcasing his ability to adapt to different batting positions.
• Centuries in All Formats (2017): In 2017, KL Rahul achieved the milestone of becoming the fastest batsman to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket, accomplishing this feat in just 20 innings.
• Fastest 50 in IPL (2018): During the first match of the IPL 2018 season, KL Rahul scored the fastest 50 in IPL history, reaching the milestone in just 14 balls. This innings displayed his aggressive T20 batting skills.
• IPL 2021 Performance: In the IPL 2021 season, KL Rahul had an outstanding performance, scoring 626 runs and finishing as the team’s highest scorer of the season.
• High-value IPL Auction (2022): Ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, KL Rahul was drafted by the Lucknow Super Giants for INR 17 crore, making him the joint highest-paid cricketer in the Indian Premier League alongside Virat Kohli. This underscored his value as a top-performing and sought-after player in the T20 format.

KL Rahul’s Net Worth

The yearly salary of KL is $2.4 million (Rs. 20 Crore INR). He receives compensation from the Indian cricket board for participating in the national team. The total net worth of KL Rahul is approximately $12 million. 

Prices in IPL in Indian rupee

Year	Team	Price in Indian Rupee
2013	Royal Challengers Bangalore	1,000,000
2014	Sunrisers Hyderabad	10,000,000
2015	Sunrisers Hyderabad	10,000,000
2016	Royal Challengers Bangalore	10,000,000
2017	Royal Challengers Bangalore	10,000,000
2018	Punjab Kings	110,000,000
2019	Punjab Kings	110,000,000
2020	Punjab Kings	110,000,000
2021	Punjab Kings	110,000,000
2022	Lucknow Super Giants	170,000,000
2023	Lucknow Super Giants	170,000,000

Wealth

KL Rahul has built substantial wealth not only through his cricketing endeavors but also as a sought-after brand ambassador for various companies. KL Rahul is considered the second most marketable Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli, owing to his excellent image and attractive appearance. Some of the brands he endorses include Boat, Beardo, Puma, NUMI, Red Bull, Tata Nexon, and Bharat Pay.

His real estate portfolio includes a lavish apartment in Bangalore’s affluent Indira Nagar neighborhood, reported to be priced at several crores in Indian rupees. Additionally, he owns “Milna,” a sprawling 7,000-square-foot villa in Goa.

Among the notable cars in his collection are the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder, Aston Martin DB11, Mercedes-Benz C43, Audi R8, Range Rover Velar, and several BMW sports and luxury cars. 

Conclusion

KL Rahul is an Indian cricketer renowned for his batting prowess. He has made significant contributions to Indian cricket across all three formats. Rahul has achieved numerous milestones, including being the first Indian to score a century on his One Day International (ODI) debut and the fastest century in T20 internationals by an Indian. His versatility as an opening batsman and ability to adapt to different formats have solidified his place in the national team. Besides cricket, Rahul is recognized for his marketability, being one of the most sought-after brand ambassadors in the country, endorsed by various renowned companies.

KL Rahul’s fame extends beyond the cricketing field due to his appealing image and consistent performances. He is considered one of the most marketable Indian cricketers, second only to Virat Kohli. With a significant fan following and a strong presence in the advertising world, KL Rahul has become a household name, reflecting his widespread popularity both as a sportsman and a brand ambassador.

KL Rahul Best Shots Video

FAQ