India | Wicketkeeper Batter
Kannaur Lokesh Rahul is an Indian cricketer who plays for the national team. He is a right-handed wicket-keeper batter. He plays for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League and for Karnataka in domestic cricket.
| Full Name Kannaur Lokesh Rahul | Born April 18, 1992, Bangalore, Karnataka | Age 33y 18d |
| Batting Style Right hand Bat | Fielding Position Wicketkeeper | Playing Role Wicketkeeper Batter |
Teams
KL Rahul: A Pillar of Consistency in IPL & India’s Cricketing Landscape
Kannanur Lokesh Rahul, popularly known as KL Rahul , is one of India’s most dynamic cricketers. Born on April 18, 1992 , in Mangalore, Karnataka, he emerged as a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter with a reputation for consistency, adaptability, and leadership . Below is a detailed breakdown of his career and legacy:
Early Career & Domestic Cricket
Rahul’s cricketing journey began in his youth, supported by his parents who recognized his passion early . He represented India in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup , showcasing his potential on the global stage . His first-class debut came later that year, and he quickly rose through the ranks in domestic cricket, representing Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy. Known for his technical soundness and calm demeanor, Rahul became a cornerstone of Karnataka’s batting lineup, often anchoring innings with his classical strokeplay.
International Career
Rahul’s international debut came in ODIs on June 11, 2016 , against Zimbabwe, where he displayed his ability to handle pressure in challenging conditions . Over time, he evolved into a versatile player across formats:
- ODIs : Scored a century on debut (100* vs Zimbabwe) and holds the record for most runs in a series by a wicketkeeper (452 runs) .
- Test Cricket : Transitioned from a wicketkeeper role to a specialist batter, excelling in the longest format. His resilience and ability to rebuild innings in difficult conditions earned him respect.
- T20Is : Became a reliable opener, combining aggression with stability. He briefly captained the Indian T20I side in 2021, showcasing leadership qualities.
Despite injuries and positional changes, Rahul’s adaptability—whether as a wicketkeeper, opener, or middle-order batter—cemented his place in the national team .
IPL Career: Leadership & Consistency
KL Rahul has played for four IPL teams since he made his debut in 2013. His first season was for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after which he was part of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2014 and 2015. He rejoined RCB in 2016, missed IPL 2017 because of injury, and then represented Punjab Kings (PBKS, previously known as Kings XI Punjab or KXIP) from 2018 to 2021. Rahul moved to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2022.
– In 2025, Rahul added a fifth team to his list. He was picked up by Delhi Capitals in the auction for INR 14 crore (USD 1.67 million approx).
– A versatile batter who started in the middle order before moving to the top, Rahul also keeps wicket in the IPL, and has emerged as one of the league’s most consistent run-scorers, with more than 590 runs in each season from 2018 to 2022.
– In IPL 2018, Rahul smashed a fifty off 14 balls against Delhi Daredevils, which was the record for the fastest half-century in the IPL at the time.
– In IPL 2020, Rahul won the Orange Cap for the most runs in the season: 670.
– Rahul was named captain of Punjab Kings in IPL 2020 – his first captaincy stint in the IPL – and he led them for two years before moving to LSG, where he was appointed captain once again. Under Rahul’s leadership, LSG qualified for the playoffs in their first two IPL seasons, though Rahul played only nine matches in IPL 2023 because of a thigh injury.
– With four centuries ahead of IPL 2025, Rahul is joint second only to Virat Kohli among Indian batters with the most hundreds in the Indian Premier League. Shubman Gill also has four centuries in the IPL.
Strong Zones
- Consistency Across Formats : Rahul thrives in high-pressure situations, particularly in chases, where his temperament and shot selection shine.
- Leadership : As LSG captain, he inspired younger players and fostered a competitive team culture .
- Adaptability : Seamlessly transitioned between wicketkeeping and batting roles, proving his versatility in Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
- Technical Prowess : Excels against pace and spin, with a wide range of strokes, especially through the off-side.
Legacy & Impact
KL Rahul’s legacy extends beyond statistics. He embodies perseverance, having overcome injuries and positional shifts to remain a top-tier cricketer 8. His leadership in the IPL and contributions to India’s middle-order stability have made him a role model for aspiring cricketers. Off the field, his humility and dedication resonate with fans, while his records—like being the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a Test century abroad —highlight his historic achievements .
KL Rahul Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 58 | 101 | 4 | 3257 | 199 | 33.57 | 6168 | 52.80 | 8 | 17 | 387 | 26 | 74 | 0 |
| ODIs | 85 | 79 | 17 | 3043 | 112 | 49.08 | 3451 | 88.17 | 7 | 18 | 235 | 67 | 71 | 8 |
| T20Is | 72 | 68 | 8 | 2265 | 110* | 37.75 | 1628 | 139.12 | 2 | 22 | 191 | 99 | 23 | 1 |
| FC | 104 | 179 | 7 | 7331 | 337 | 42.62 | 13498 | 54.31 | 18 | 36 | 910 | 59 | 118 | 0 |
| List A | 137 | 131 | 22 | 5053 | 131 | 46.35 | 6145 | 82.22 | 11 | 31 | 404 | 98 | 109 | 12 |
| T20s | 236 | 223 | 34 | 7967 | 132* | 42.15 | 5852 | 136.14 | 6 | 68 | 673 | 327 | 115 | 10 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 58 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| ODIs | 85 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| T20Is | 72 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| FC | 104 | 9 | 168 | 83 | 0 | – | – | – | 2.96 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 137 | 3 | 21 | 42 | 1 | 1/23 | 1/23 | 42.00 | 12.00 | 21.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 236 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
KL Rahul T20 Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 5 teams | 142 | 133 | 22 | 5064 | 132* | 45.62 | 3747 | 135.14 | 4 | 40 | 430 | 203 | 81 | 7 |
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 5 teams | 142 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Debut/Last Matches of KL Rahul
Test Matches
Debut
Australia vs India at Melbourne – December 26 – 30, 2014
Last
Australia vs India at Sydney – January 03 – 05, 2025
ODI Matches
Debut
Zimbabwe vs India at Harare – June 11, 2016
Last
New Zealand vs India at Dubai (DICS) – March 09, 2025
T20I Matches
Debut
Zimbabwe vs India at Harare – June 18, 2016
Last
India vs England at Adelaide – November 10, 2022
FC Matches
Debut
Punjab vs Karnataka at Mohali – November 10 – 13, 2010
Last
Karnataka vs Haryana at Bengaluru – January 30 – February 02, 2025
List A Matches
Debut
Karnataka vs Hyderabad at Chennai – February 16, 2010
Last
New Zealand vs India at Dubai (DICS) – March 09, 2025
T20 Matches
Debut
Goa vs Karnataka at Shimoga – March 17, 2013
Last
DC vs SRH at Hyderabad – May 05, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru