KL Rahul Career



KL Rahul made his international debut in 2014 [x.com/@klrahul]KL Rahul made his international debut in 2014 [x.com/@klrahul]

Indian batter, KL Rahul is renowned for his elegant batting style and sharp wicketkeeping skills. Born on April 18, 1992, in Mangalore, Karnataka, India, Rahul's cricketing journey has been a tale of hard work and dedication.

Rahul made his international debut in 2014 in a Test match against Australia in Melbourne. Initially known for his mastery in the longer format, he soon made a mark in limited-overs cricket as well.

One of his notable achievements is being the first Indian to score a century in all three formats of international cricket. Rahul's consistent performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) further cemented his reputation as a versatile and explosive batsman.

KL Rahul's Cricket Career

Rahul's domestic cricket career began with a promising start. He made his first-class cricket debut for Karnataka in the 2010–11 season. That same season, he represented India in the 2010 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where he scored a notable 143 runs.

Rahul's skills were highlighted in the 2014–15 Duleep Trophy. Playing for the South Zone in the final against the Central Zone, he scored an impressive 185 off 233 balls in the first innings and followed it up with a strong 130 off 152 balls in the second innings. 

KL Rahul International Career​

A versatile batter and a handy wicket-keeper: KL Rahul (x.com/@klrahul)A versatile batter and a handy wicket-keeper: KL Rahul (x.com/@klrahul)

KL Rahul is a versatile Indian cricketer known for his elegant stroke play and adaptability across all formats. He made his Test debut in 2014 against Australia and scored his maiden century in just his second match. Over time, he evolved into a multi-format player, opening the innings in Tests and playing key roles in ODIs and T20Is. 

Rahul has shown the ability to bat in various positions and even keep wickets when required. He has notched up centuries in all formats and played vital innings in overseas conditions. His calm demeanor and consistency make him a vital asset for India.

KL Rahul Test Career

KL Rahul Test debut came in 2014 [x.com]KL Rahul Test debut came in 2014 [x.com]

Rahul's Test debut came in the 2014 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he replaced Rohit Sharma. His debut cap was presented by MS Dhoni. However, his initial performance was underwhelming, scoring only 3 and 1 in his debut match.

Rahul's breakthrough in Tests came in the following match at Sydney, where he opened the innings and scored his maiden international century with 110 runs. 

Rahul's journey in Test cricket saw several highs and lows. He scored 158 runs in the 2016 West Indies series, his highest Test score at the time. However, injuries frequently interrupted his career. Despite these setbacks, Rahul showcased resilience. In the fifth and final Test against England, he scored a career-best 199 runs, narrowly missing a double century.

KL Rahul ODI Career

KL Rahul ODI career commenced in 2016 [x.com]KL Rahul ODI career commenced in 2016 [x.com]

Rahul's ODI career commenced with a record-setting debut against Zimbabwe in 2016, where he scored an unbeaten century, becoming the first Indian cricketer to achieve this feat on ODI debut. This remarkable start was a clear indication of Rahul's brilliance in the shorter format of the game. 

His ODI career progressed with consistent performances, marked by technical finesse and adaptability to various match situations. When examining KL Rahul stats, one can observe his significant contributions to the Indian team's success in ODIs, cementing his position as a key player in the lineup.

KL Rahul T20I Career 

KL Rahul T20I career began in 2016 [x.com] KL Rahul T20I career began in 2016 [x.com] 

Rahul's journey in the T20I format began in 2016 on the tour of Zimbabwe. Despite a disappointing start with a golden duck on his debut, he quickly made a significant impact by scoring his first T20I century against West Indies in the same year. 

Rahul's T20I career is marked by several record-breaking performances. He became the fastest batsman to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket in just his 20th international inning. In 2018, he scored his second T20I ton against England and became the first Indian batsman to be dismissed hit-wicket in T20Is, showing that his journey wasn't without its unique challenges.

He was the highest run-scorer for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, including scoring the tournament's joint-fastest fifty against Scotland. His performance in the tournament highlighted his importance to the team in the shortest format of the game.

KL Rahul IPL Career

KL Rahul made his IPL debut in 2013 [x.com]KL Rahul made his IPL debut in 2013 [x.com]

Rahul made his IPL debut in 2013 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as a wicket-keeper batsman. In 2014, he moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad, bought for INR 1 crore, and then returned to RCB in 2016.

Rahul's move to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018 for INR 11 crore marked a significant turn in his career. Retained for the 2019 season, Rahul scored his maiden IPL century and was named vice-captain, amassing 593 runs. 

After an elaborate stint with PBKS, in 2022, Rahul joined the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as captain, drafted for INR 17 crore. Despite putting his heart and soul into it, Rahul was released by the management in 2025, however, Delhi Capitals capitalized the opportunity and acquired his services for a hefty price. 

FAQs - KL Rahul's Career

Q.1. What is the career of KL Rahul in IPL?

Ans. KL Rahul debuted with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2013, then moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a couple of seasons before returning to RCB. He then joined Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018, where he also captained the team. In 2022, he joined the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as captain. In the 2025 auction, he was acquired by Delhi Capitals.

Q.2. How many centuries does KL Rahul have?

Ans. KL Rahul has scored a total of 19 centuries in his international cricket career across all formats. This includes 10 centuries in Test matches, 7 in One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 2 in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Q.3. How many runs of KL Rahul score in IPL 2025?

Ans. Playing for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025, KL Rahul amassed 539 runs.