KL Rahul, the star batsman for Team India, recently shared his thoughts on retirement during an engaging conversation with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen. While he admitted that retirement has crossed his mind, he emphasized that he believes it’s not imminent. “I’ve thought about it. I don’t think it’s going to be that hard. If you’re honest with yourself, when it’s time, it’s time, and there’s no reason to prolong it. But for me, that time is still a way off,” he stated.
The Bengaluru native further reflected on his perspective regarding cricket and life, saying he doesn’t see himself as irreplaceable. “Just quit and enjoy what you have—your family and other aspects of life. That’s the real challenge. I remind myself that I’m not that crucial; cricket will go on, and there are more significant things in life. This mindset has evolved, especially after welcoming my first child, which has shifted my outlook dramatically,” the 33-year-old cricketer explained.
Rahul also touched upon the challenges athletes face when dealing with injuries, describing it as the toughest battle. “I’ve faced numerous injuries, and it’s not just the physical pain from treatment; it’s the mental struggle when your mind feels like it’s giving up. After so many setbacks, it’s easy to think you’ve done enough. Cricket has provided me well, and I know I can sustain myself for years to come,” he concluded.
KL Rahul’s International Cricket Stats
To date, KL Rahul has played 67 Test matches, 94 ODIs, and 72 T20Is for India. In Test cricket, he has accumulated 4,053 runs with a personal best of 199 runs. In ODIs, he has scored 3,360 runs, including a top score of 112 not out. In T20Is, he has amassed 2,264 runs, with an unbeaten high of 110 runs.