KL Rahul, a technically sound and stylish right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, is known for his adaptability across all formats. Playing for the Indian national cricket team since 2014, Rahul has become a dependable and versatile player in the squad, often moving between opening and middle-order positions depending on the team's needs. He captained the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2022 to 2024.

Early and Personal Life

Born in Bangalore and raised in Mangalore, Rahul comes from an academic family; his father is a professor and former director at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), while his mother is a professor at Mangalore University. Rahul was named after the son of his father's cricket idol, Sunil Gavaskar, although this was due to a misinterpretation of the name Rohan Gavaskar as "Rahul." Rahul began playing cricket at an early age, joining Bangalore United Cricket Club and eventually moving to Bangalore to attend Jain University and pursue cricket more seriously.

Domestic Career

Rahul made his first-class debut for Karnataka in the 2010–11 season, showing early promise with solid performances. His breakthrough came in the 2013–14 domestic season when he scored 1,033 runs in first-class cricket, earning him a spot in the Indian national team. Notably, he became the first Karnataka player to score a triple century (337) in a Ranji Trophy match. His consistent performances in domestic cricket made him a standout player, eventually leading to his entry into the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013.

International Career Highlights

• Debut and Early Career (2014–2021)

Rahul made his Test debut in 2014 during India's tour of Australia, scoring his first century in only his second Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Known for his adaptability, he achieved the rare feat of scoring centuries across all formats within just 20 innings—the fastest by any player globally.

Rahul made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2016, where he became the first Indian player to score a century on ODI debut. He also made his T20I debut on the same tour, becoming one of the few players to score centuries across all formats.

• Vice-Captaincy and Leadership (2021–2022)

In 2021, Rahul was named vice-captain for India's white-ball teams and later for the Test team. His calm temperament and ability to anchor innings made him a natural choice for leadership. Rahul led India as stand-in captain during a Test and ODI series against South Africa, making him the 34th player to captain India in Test cricket and the 26th in ODIs.

Notable Performances and Records

Test Cricket: Rahul has eight Test centuries, including a career-best 199 against England in 2016. His ability to adapt to various conditions was evident during India's tour of England in 2021, where he scored a match-winning 129 at Lord's.

ODI Cricket: Known for his consistency in ODIs, Rahul has seven centuries, including a memorable 111* against Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup. His role as a flexible middle-order batsman has been vital for India's balance in ODIs.

T20I Cricket: Rahul's two T20I centuries highlight his explosiveness in the shortest format. His 110* off 51 balls against the West Indies is one of the fastest centuries by an Indian in T20Is.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Career

• Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013–2017)

Rahul began his IPL journey with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and later moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Returning to RCB in 2016, he scored 397 runs, finishing as one of their top scorers. However, a shoulder injury ruled him out of the 2017 season.

• Punjab Kings (2018–2021)

In 2018, Rahul joined Punjab Kings and quickly became one of the league's standout players, scoring the fastest fifty in IPL history (off 14 balls). In 2020, he scored an unbeaten 132*, setting the record for the highest individual score by an Indian in the IPL. He won the Orange Cap for the highest run-scorer that season, amassing 670 runs.

• Lucknow Super Giants

Rahul was drafted by Lucknow Super Giants as their captain in 2022 for INR 17 crore, making him one of the highest-paid players in IPL history. Leading his team to the playoffs in their debut season, Rahul scored two centuries against Mumbai Indians and finished with 616 runs. He continued as captain in 2023, but an injury cut his season short.

Key International Records and Achievements

• First Indian to score a century on ODI debut

• Fastest century scorer across all three formats (achieved in just 20 innings)

• Joint-fastest T20 World Cup fifty (18 balls, against Scotland in 2021)

• Highest individual score by an Indian in IPL (132* in 2020)

KL Rahul is celebrated for his versatility and ability to adapt his game to the demands of different formats. Known for his calm demeanor and technical skill, Rahul has become one of India's most reliable batsmen and has demonstrated leadership qualities both as vice-captain and as captain in various series. His contributions to Indian cricket, particularly in challenging overseas conditions, have solidified his place as a modern great in Indian cricket.

As he continues his career, Rahul remains a pivotal figure in India's white-ball setup and a sought-after player in franchise cricket. His achievements and leadership qualities have earned him respect and admiration, both on and off the field.