KL Rahul Earns High Praise from Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid After Stellar England Test Series
KL Rahul’s superb batting in the England Test series has earned high praise from Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, who…
Tag: KL Rahul
KL Rahul Called a ‘Tapasvi’ as Calls Grow for the Respect He Deserves
KL Rahul has emerged as one of India’s strongest pillars in the ongoing Test series against England, stepping up in…
KL Rahul Set to Shine Post-Kohli Era, Tipped to Outscore Shubman Gill
KL Rahul is no longer just a support act. With Virat Kohli stepping away and Rohit Sharma retired, Rahul has…
KL Rahul Walks Past Injured Stokes After Body Blow – Subtle Payback at Lord’s?
Tensions flared and memories lingered on Day 4 of the Lord’s Test, as KL Rahul appeared to serve up a…
KL Rahul, one of India’s most versatile and technically sound cricketers, has been a crucial part of the national team across formats. Whether it’s opening in T20s, anchoring the middle order in Tests, or keeping wickets in ODIs, Rahul’s adaptability makes him an indispensable asset. On this page, you’ll find all the latest KL Rahul match updates, stats, records, IPL performances, and expert analysis – only at Today Cricket Matches.
Early and Personal Life
Kannur Lokesh Rahul, widely known as KL Rahul, was born on April 18, 1992, in Mangalore, Karnataka. His father, a professor, wanted to name him after cricketer Sunil Gavaskar’s son but ended up with the initials KL. He grew up in a disciplined environment and pursued cricket while excelling in academics.
Rahul studied at NITK English Medium School and later graduated from Jain University in Bangalore. He trained at the Karnataka State Cricket Academy and honed his skills under experienced coaches.
Early and Domestic Career
KL Rahul began his domestic cricket journey with Karnataka in 2010. He rose through the ranks with consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy. His breakout year was 2014 when he scored over 1000 runs in the season and followed it up with two centuries in the Duleep Trophy final.
He was soon on the selectors’ radar and earned a national call-up thanks to his temperament, technique, and ability to perform under pressure.
International Career
Debut and Early Career
KL Rahul made his Test debut in December 2014 against Australia at the MCG. Though he struggled in his first match, he responded with a brilliant 110 in his second Test in Sydney. His solid technique and adaptability made him a dependable opener.
He made his ODI and T20I debuts in 2016, immediately making a mark by scoring a century on ODI debut against Zimbabwe — only the third Indian to do so.
Top-Ranked Multi-Format Batter
Though Rahul has been in and out of the T20 setup due to competition, he remains one of India’s most technically gifted batters. He reached the top 5 ICC rankings in T20Is and ODIs in 2018–2020 and has been India’s go-to opener and middle-order stabilizer.
Test Matches and World Cups
Rahul has played key Test series against Australia, England, and South Africa. He has also represented India in two T20 World Cups (2021 & 2022) and two ODI World Cups (2019 & 2023), often contributing as a top-order batsman and occasional wicket-keeper.
In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rahul played a pivotal role in India’s run to the finals with consistent knocks, including a memorable 97* against Australia in the league stage.
IPL Career
KL Rahul began his IPL career with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2013. After stints with Sunrisers Hyderabad, he truly shone with Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), where he was the captain from 2018 to 2021.
He scored heavily for PBKS and even won the Orange Cap in IPL 2020 with 670 runs. In 2022, he joined the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and was named captain.
Under his leadership, LSG reached playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. His consistency, calm demeanor, and finishing ability have made him one of the highest run-scorers in IPL history.
Playing Style
KL Rahul is a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper, known for his stylish strokeplay and adaptability. He can open the innings in T20s, anchor in ODIs, and bat in the middle order in Tests. His ability to switch gears based on the match situation makes him a unique asset.
He is especially strong on the off-side and is known for his timing rather than brute force. Rahul is also one of the safest wicket-keepers in India’s limited-overs setup.
Honors
India
- First Indian to score a century on ODI debut
- Only Indian to score a century in all three formats
- Vice-captain for India in limited-overs cricket (2021–22)
- Key contributor in World Cups and ICC tournaments
IPL Franchises
- Orange Cap Winner: 2020
- Led Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants
- Among top 10 run-scorers in IPL history
Individual
- Cricketer of the Year – CEAT Awards (2020)
- Record for most consecutive 50+ scores in T20Is for India
- Featured in ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year – 2021
Career Statistics
International Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Best |
| Test | 52 | 2,892 | 34.4 | 51.9 | 8 | 13 | 199 |
| ODI | 76 | 3,076 | 49.6 | 88.5 | 7 | 21 | 112 |
| T20I | 72 | 2,265 | 37.8 | 140.9 | 2 | 22 | 110* |
IPL Stats
| Year | Team | Matches | Runs | Avg. | SR | 100s | 50s | Best |
| 2013 | RCB | 3 | 20 | 6.6 | 90.0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2016 | RCB | 14 | 397 | 44.1 | 146.5 | 0 | 4 | 68 |
| 2018–21 | Punjab Kings | 55 | 2,548 | 56.6 | 139.4 | 2 | 23 | 132* |
| 2022–25 | Lucknow Super Giants | 50 | 1,894 | 42.1 | 138.6 | 1 | 16 | 103 |
| Total | — | 122 | 4,859 | 44.8 | 138.3 | 3 | 43 | 132* |
KL Rahul, one of India’s most versatile and technically sound cricketers, has been a crucial part of the national team across formats. Whether it’s opening in T20s, anchoring the middle order in Tests, or keeping wickets in ODIs, Rahul’s adaptability makes him an indispensable asset. On this page, you’ll find all the latest KL Rahul match updates, stats, records, IPL performances, and expert analysis – only at Today Cricket Matches.
Early and Personal Life
Kannur Lokesh Rahul, widely known as KL Rahul, was born on April 18, 1992, in Mangalore, Karnataka. His father, a professor, wanted to name him after cricketer Sunil Gavaskar’s son but ended up with the initials KL. He grew up in a disciplined environment and pursued cricket while excelling in academics.
Rahul studied at NITK English Medium School and later graduated from Jain University in Bangalore. He trained at the Karnataka State Cricket Academy and honed his skills under experienced coaches.
Early and Domestic Career
KL Rahul began his domestic cricket journey with Karnataka in 2010. He rose through the ranks with consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy. His breakout year was 2014 when he scored over 1000 runs in the season and followed it up with two centuries in the Duleep Trophy final.
He was soon on the selectors’ radar and earned a national call-up thanks to his temperament, technique, and ability to perform under pressure.
International Career
Debut and Early Career
KL Rahul made his Test debut in December 2014 against Australia at the MCG. Though he struggled in his first match, he responded with a brilliant 110 in his second Test in Sydney. His solid technique and adaptability made him a dependable opener.
He made his ODI and T20I debuts in 2016, immediately making a mark by scoring a century on ODI debut against Zimbabwe — only the third Indian to do so.
Top-Ranked Multi-Format Batter
Though Rahul has been in and out of the T20 setup due to competition, he remains one of India’s most technically gifted batters. He reached the top 5 ICC rankings in T20Is and ODIs in 2018–2020 and has been India’s go-to opener and middle-order stabilizer.
Test Matches and World Cups
Rahul has played key Test series against Australia, England, and South Africa. He has also represented India in two T20 World Cups (2021 & 2022) and two ODI World Cups (2019 & 2023), often contributing as a top-order batsman and occasional wicket-keeper.
In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rahul played a pivotal role in India’s run to the finals with consistent knocks, including a memorable 97* against Australia in the league stage.
IPL Career
KL Rahul began his IPL career with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2013. After stints with Sunrisers Hyderabad, he truly shone with Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), where he was the captain from 2018 to 2021.
He scored heavily for PBKS and even won the Orange Cap in IPL 2020 with 670 runs. In 2022, he joined the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and was named captain.
Under his leadership, LSG reached playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. His consistency, calm demeanor, and finishing ability have made him one of the highest run-scorers in IPL history.
Playing Style
KL Rahul is a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper, known for his stylish strokeplay and adaptability. He can open the innings in T20s, anchor in ODIs, and bat in the middle order in Tests. His ability to switch gears based on the match situation makes him a unique asset.
He is especially strong on the off-side and is known for his timing rather than brute force. Rahul is also one of the safest wicket-keepers in India’s limited-overs setup.
Honors
India
- First Indian to score a century on ODI debut
- Only Indian to score a century in all three formats
- Vice-captain for India in limited-overs cricket (2021–22)
- Key contributor in World Cups and ICC tournaments
IPL Franchises
- Orange Cap Winner: 2020
- Led Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants
- Among top 10 run-scorers in IPL history
Individual
- Cricketer of the Year – CEAT Awards (2020)
- Record for most consecutive 50+ scores in T20Is for India
- Featured in ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year – 2021
Career Statistics
International Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Best |
| Test | 52 | 2,892 | 34.4 | 51.9 | 8 | 13 | 199 |
| ODI | 76 | 3,076 | 49.6 | 88.5 | 7 | 21 | 112 |
| T20I | 72 | 2,265 | 37.8 | 140.9 | 2 | 22 | 110* |
IPL Stats
| Year | Team | Matches | Runs | Avg. | SR | 100s | 50s | Best |
| 2013 | RCB | 3 | 20 | 6.6 | 90.0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2016 | RCB | 14 | 397 | 44.1 | 146.5 | 0 | 4 | 68 |
| 2018–21 | Punjab Kings | 55 | 2,548 | 56.6 | 139.4 | 2 | 23 | 132* |
| 2022–25 | Lucknow Super Giants | 50 | 1,894 | 42.1 | 138.6 | 1 | 16 | 103 |
| Total | — | 122 | 4,859 | 44.8 | 138.3 | 3 | 43 | 132* |