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Born into an academically driven environment, KL Rahul grew up at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, where his father worked as a Civil Engineering professor. It was on the modest, grass-less grounds of the campus that Rahul first developed his love for cricket—prompting his parents to enroll him in formal training. Rising through the Under-19 ranks, Rahul broke into the Karnataka cricket team and impressed in his debut season (2010–11). After a brief setback, he returned in 2012–13 with a prolific run, finishing as the highest run-scorer and earning a place on the national radar. His Test debut came during the high-pressure Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Australia national cricket team, where nerves got the better of him. However, he redeemed himself in Sydney with a composed century, reaffirming his place at the highest level. This innings sparked a strong run, with centuries in overseas tours to Sri Lanka and West Indies. While he gained a reputation for converting starts into big scores, his inconsistency also led to the “all-or-nothing” tag. In 2016, Rahul showcased his versatility by scoring centuries on both ODI and T20I debuts, following a successful IPL stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Injuries, however, disrupted his progress until a strong comeback in 2017, highlighted by a heartbreaking 199 in Chennai against England national cricket team—his highest Test score. Often compared to his mentor Rahul Dravid, Rahul combines technical solidity with composure, though occasional lapses have drawn criticism. A major shift came post-2022 when he moved to No. 5 in ODIs to accommodate Shubman Gill as opener. The move paid off, allowing Rahul to thrive as an anchor-finisher. During the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Rahul played a crucial role, including an unbeaten 97 against Australia national cricket team and a top-scoring effort in the final. Despite India’s loss, his performances—along with his wicketkeeping—stood out. Though injuries and inconsistency followed, he retained the backing of captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir. On the Australia tour, he once again stepped up, scoring a vital fifty in Perth as an opener. IPL Journey Rahul began his IPL career with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013, before stints with Sunrisers Hyderabad and a return to RCB in 2016, where he helped the team reach the final. In 2018, Punjab Kings signed him for 11 crore. Opening the innings, he delivered a stellar season with 659 runs at a strike rate of 158.41, including a 14-ball fifty—then the fastest in IPL history. He later captained the side, consistently leading their run charts, though team success remained elusive. With the IPL expanding in 2022, Rahul became captain of Lucknow Super Giants, guiding them to playoffs in his first two seasons. However, after a seventh-place finish in his third season, he was released ahead of the mega auction. In 2025, Rahul embarked on a new chapter with Delhi Capitals, aiming to reassert himself as one of the league’s premier batters.
