KL Rahul Balances Fatherhood and Cricket as He Prepares for England Series

A New Chapter for KL Rahul

Indian cricketer KL Rahul is currently embracing a significant milestone in his life. On March 24, 2025, he and Athiya Shetty welcomed their first child, a baby girl. Amidst this joyous occasion, Rahul remains focused on his cricketing aspirations.

Rahul Takes Time Off IPL for Family, Returns Strong

At 33, Rahul opted to miss the early matches of IPL 2025 with Delhi Capitals to spend quality time with his family. However, he quickly returned to the sport. Hemang Badani, the head coach of Delhi Capitals, praised Rahul's dedication during an interview with a media outlet.

Focused on Team India Despite Family Commitments

After Delhi Capitals faced an early exit from the tournament, Rahul did not stay back. Instead, he traveled to England ahead of the highly anticipated series against England. To gear up, he participated in the second unofficial Test match between India A and the England Lions, scoring an impressive 137 runs off 247 balls, marking the end of his century drought. This decision to prioritize training over time with his newborn showcases his unwavering commitment.

Coach Badani Commends Rahul's Dedication

"I really liked the fact that he was someone who said, ‘I want to go to England early. I want to play the side game.’ Forget about the hundred he got, that came later. The intent, that’s what matters. The intent to be there early, to be prepared, to be with the side."

A Young Father's Sacrifice

"Let’s not forget, he’s a young father, and I don’t think his child is travelling with him initially. So for him to say, ‘Country over my child’, that’s a huge call. He could’ve easily said, ‘I’m not playing the side game anyway; I’ll just go straight to the Test match.’ But he didn’t."

Rahul's wife and newborn did not join him on the England tour due to new regulations set by the cricket board regarding players' family members. Nevertheless, Rahul remains focused on his cricketing duties, aiming to contribute to India's success in the upcoming series.