KL Rahul, born as Kannaur Lokesh Rahul on April 18, 1992, is a highly talented cricket player from India who has established himself as one of the most promising opening batsmen in the country. Standing tall and possessing an elegant right-hand batting style, Rahul has time and again demonstrated his ability to keep wicket in a crisis, making him a valuable asset for any team he represents.
Rahul’s journey in cricket began when he was selected to represent India in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup. It was in the same year that he made his first-class debut, showcasing his potential even at an early stage of his career. However, it took some time for him to truly establish himself as a first-class cricketer. It was in the 2013-14 season that Rahul truly made his mark and contributed significantly to Karnataka’s victory in the Ranji Trophy. He amassed an impressive total of 1033 runs, including three centuries and three nineties, and was awarded the Man-of-the-Match title in the final.
Rahul’s brilliant performances in domestic cricket did not go unnoticed, and he attracted significant attention during the IPL auction. Eventually, he was picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping Rs. 1 crore (US$ 166,000). While he played predominantly as a wicketkeeper-batsman for the team during the 2014 season, his contributions with the bat were steady rather than extraordinary.
It is in the longer format of the game that Rahul’s technical skills and determination have left a lasting impression on some of India’s cricketing legends. One such legend is Rahul Dravid, who not only shares the same name as Rahul but also acts as a mentor and guide to him. Rahul frequently seeks Dravid’s advice, both on technical aspects and mental fortitude, as he strives to continually improve himself as a player.
While Rahul had a moderate tour of Australia with the India A team in 2014, his hunger for runs returned during the 2014-2015 domestic season. Twin centuries in the Duleep Trophy final earned him a well-deserved spot in India’s Test squad for their tour of Australia. Building on his success, Rahul had an outstanding performance in the IPL in 2016, leading to his inclusion in the Indian ODI and T20 squads for the tour of Zimbabwe in June that year. In a historic debut, he became the first Indian batsman to score a century on debut in 50-over cricket.
KL Rahul’s career continues to shine bright, and he shows immense potential to become one of India’s future cricketing stars. With his elegant batting style, remarkable technique, and dedication to the game, Rahul undoubtedly has a promising future in the world of cricket.