KL Rahul

KL Rahul

Captain • Right-handed Batsman

Jersey Number
1
International Debut
2016
Matches Played
388
Career Runs
14,000+

Full Name: KL Rahul

Nickname: KL

Date of Birth: April 18, 1992

Place of Birth: Mangaluru, Karnataka

Age: 33 Years

Nationality: Indian

Role: Batsman

Batting Style: Right-hand bat

Bowling Style:

Current Team(s): India, India, Delhi Capitals, Karnataka

KL Rahul was born on April 18, 1992, in Mangalore, Karnataka, into an academically inclined family. His father is a professor, and his mother, Rajeshwari, is a lecturer. Rahul was introduced to cricket at a young age and trained at the Karnataka State Cricket Academy. Due to his immense talent, he quickly rose through the junior ranks in the state. Rahul was selected for the Indian team in 2014, and he made his international debut against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After the wait for two more years, debuts for ODI and T20I followed. Soon after that, he became known for his versatility across formats. Rahul is a classic batter known for elegant stroke play and calm temperament. Over time, he has evolved into a fine top-order batter for the Indian senior team. He is also considered a confident leader in limited-overs cricket.

International Debut
Test: Australia vs India at Melbourne – December 26 – 30, 2014
ODI: Zimbabwe vs India at Harare – June 11, 2016
T20I: Zimbabwe vs India at Harare – June 18, 2016
IPL Debut
RCB vs KKR at Bengaluru – April 11, 2013
Domestic Teams:
Karnataka
Format Matches Runs Average 100s/50s Wickets Best Bowling Catches
Test 65 3985 36.55 11/20 – – 83
ODI 88 3092 48.31 7/18 – – 71
T20I 72 2265 37.75 2/22 – – 23
IPL 145 5222 46.21 5/40 – – 81
Key Batting Records & Milestones
  • Over 9,000 international runs across formats for India.
  • Among the few Indian players to score a century in all three formats of the game.
  • He scored a century overseas on his Test Debut in Australia.
  • He has the second-most catches (14) in a Test series.
  • He has the most consecutive fifties (7) in Test matches.
  • He is third on the list for most consecutive fifties (7) across all formats (ODIs, T20Is, Test).
  • He was the fastest Indian to reach to 1,000 runs milestone in T20Is.
  • He also holds multiple records in IPL, including one of the fastest fifties (14 balls) and a career average of over 45.
ICC Awards
  • He was named in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year in 2021.
  • During his peak form, he was regularly ranked among the top 10 T20I batsmen.
  • He is recognized for his consistency and adaptability across formats.
Major Tournament Wins
  • He won the 2023 Asia Cup as a member of the Indian team.
  • He was also a key contributor in India’s 2021 and 2023 Test Championship campaigns.
  • He has been one of the key players for India in bilateral series in ODIs and T20Is over the years at both home and abroad.
  • He was part of the 2023 World Cup Indian team that reached the final.
Captaincy Records
  • He has led India in all three formats of the game. He led India in ODIs and Test matches in 2022 & 2023.
  • He has been the captain of multiple IPL teams, including Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. He guided LSG to the playoffs in their debut season in 2022.
  • He is a calm and composed player as a leader and often shows trust in his young players.
Off-Field Honors
  • He received the CEAT Cricket Rating T20 Player of the Year Award in 2019.
  • He also has a philanthropic venture with the KL Rahul Foundation that supports underprivileged children.
  • He endorsed several big brands like PUMA, Boat, Red Bull, and BharatPe.
  • He is admired for his calm demeanor, humility, and professionalism.

KL Rahul has an elegant batting technique, versatility, and effortless timing across all formats. He is a man with natural cricketing talent and can adapt to different roles within the team effortlessly. He can anchor the innings in Test, accelerate in ODIs, and play explosively in T20Is. The signature strokes of KL Rahul include the cover drive and pick-up pull shot over fine leg. These strokes highlight his balance and precision. His approach towards the game keeps him grounded and allows him to thrive under pressure. Apart from batting, his wicketkeeping skills add valuable depth to his game. He is a mentally strong and focused player with patience. This makes him one of India’s most adaptable and stylish modern era batsmen.

KL Rahul was born and raised in Mangalore, Karnataka, to K. N. Lokesh, a professor, and Rajeshwari, a history lecturer. He went to NITK English Medium School and later studied at St. Aloysius College before shifting his focus back to cricket. Later in life, Rahul married Athiya Shetty, an actress and the daughter of Sunil Shetty. Rahul is always associated with a calm and composed personality. During his free time, he likes to keep himself fit, enjoy music, and travel. He maintains a stylish yet grounded presence off the field as well. He also engages in philanthropic work through his foundation.

Brand Endorsements

Rahul is associated with a wide range of brands across multiple sectors, including sportswear, luxury fashion, lifestyle, and tech.

  • He has been a brand ambassador for PUMA since 2018 and for Red Bull since 2019.
  • He became a global ambassador for the luxury fashion brand Paul & Shark in 2025.
  • In July 2024, Rahul joined the D2C lifestyle brand Boldfit as both ambassador and investor.
  • Other brands on Rahul’s list include SG, XYXX Crew, Hublot, boAt, Zenovit, Aditya Birla Capital, and more.
Charity Work

Rahul has been working for various charitable causes and has been involved in charitable auctions and fundraisers. In April 2020, he donated his match-worn jerseys, bat, gloves, and pads to be auctioned for the support of the Aware Foundation.

In August 2024, he, along with his Athiya, started a charity auction initiative, “Cricket for a Cause.” They set up this for the Vipla Foundation, which works in the special needs education sector. His efforts underline the commitment shown by the star Indian batter off the field.

Social Media Influence

He enjoys a strong social media presence and commands over 23 million Instagram followers as of October 2025.

He often posts about his on-field performances, fitness and training routines, brand campaigns, lifestyle glimpses, and some personal moments. His social media reach enhances the brand value of Rahul and amplifies the contribution he makes in the charitable and commercial sectors.

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Favourite Cricketer: AB de Villiers

Favourite Stadium: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Pre-game Rituals: KL Rahul doesn’t have one specific pre-game ritual. His ritual is to stay calm before the start.

Most Memorable Innings: 129 vs England, Lord’s, 2021

Instagram: @klrahul

Twitter: @klrahul

Facebook: @klrahul