Delhi Capitals and India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul recently opened up about his struggles and growth both personally and professionally in his almost decade-long career.
Rahul first entered top-flight cricket through the Under-19 World Cup in 2010 and made his senior debut that year. His first big break was in the Ranji Trophy in 2013-14 when he made over 1,000 runs as Karnataka won the tournament, and he was named Player of the Match in the final.
In 2014, he made his Test debut, and his white-ball debut followed in 2016. Between then and now, Rahul has been in and out of the Indian team more times than anyone could really count. He would be in the team for two formats but out of the third, and even when he was a first-choice regular in all three formats at the same time, it didn’t last long enough.
All of this ultimately contributed to Rahul being termed the poster-boy of inconsistency by social media. Rahul recently sat down on the JioStar chat show ‘SuperStars’ and opened up about his career.
I was never rated as a T20 player- KL Rahul
“Ten years ago, I would have given anything to be part of a T20 team. I was never rated as a T20 player or even considered a good white-ball player; I was branded a Test player,” he said.
“So, to break out of that mould, develop my white-ball game and come this far is something I’m really proud of. Along the way, I’ve made mistakes and there are things I could have done better,” he added.
Earlier in IPL 2026, KL Rahul made a record-breaking score of 152* against the Punjab Kings, although his team lost that match. Rahul also managed to climb up to fifth place on the all-time IPL run-charts.
I’ll see how many more trophies I can still win- KL Rahul
KL Rahul talked about the perspective that the ups and downs of the game have brought him. He said that he realised not everything will go his way all the time, but he needs to “take in his stride.”
“But, what I’m proud of is that I’ve given my absolute best every time I’ve played and prepared as well as I could to give myself the best chance to succeed. That’s sport; things won’t always go your way,” he said.
“You have to take it in your stride and enjoy the journey…Whenever I feel low about what I haven’t achieved, I remind myself of what I have, and it gives me perspective.” “I still have some time left. So, I’ll keep trying my best and see how many trophies I can win.”
KL Rahul has been part of a few domestic trophy wins with Karnataka, but his only major international trophy wins were the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the ODI Asia Cup in 2023.
Rahul was a part of the Indian team that finished runners-up in the ODI World Cup at home in 2023. He wasn’t a part of either of the two Indian teams that won the T20 World Cup in 2024 and 2026.
Fatherhood has changed me – KL Rahul
Last year, KL Rahul welcomed a baby girl into his life with his wife, actor Athiya Shetty. He said that his daughter’s presence had helped his cricket as well.
“Fatherhood has been the most beautiful thing for me. I always felt I had calmness and happiness in my life, but I was so wrong. You don’t truly know happiness, peace or joy until you hold your baby,” he said.
“When I see her smile, when she gives me a hug and a kiss, everything is forgotten, all my injuries, pain and worries. That has helped my cricket as well over the last year,” he concluded.
