KL Rahul shockingly makes retirement declaration

Team India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul made a surprising remark on his retirement during the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Rahul stated that he does not believe retirement will be very difficult when the time comes, adding that there is no point in dragging a career beyond its natural end.

Rahul is currently part of India’s ODI and Test squads. He last played for India in the home ODI series against New Zealand, where they lost 2-1. Rahul will next turn out in domestic cricket, as he is set to play for Karnataka in their 2025-26 Ranji Trophy match against Punjab, beginning on January 29 in Mohali.

Don’t Think It’s Gonna Be That Difficult - KL Rahul On Retirement

During a conversation with former England batter Kevin Pietersen in a video released on The Switch YouTube channel, KL Rahul said that the idea of retiring does not scare him. Rahul stated that the biggest challenge during injury phases is not physical pain but the mental struggle.

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“I don't think it's gonna be that difficult. If you're honest with yourself, when it's time, it's time. And there's no point dragging it. Obviously, I'm some time away. There have been times when I'm injured and I've been injured so many times and that's the hardest battle that you have to face," Rahul said.

"It's not the pain that the physio puts you through or the surgeon puts you through. It's the mental battle where your mind just gives up. You know, when it happens so many times, your mind is just like, you've done enough. You've been lucky enough that cricket's given you enough money. You can survive for the next how many ever years," he added.

Tell Myself That I'm not That Important - KL Rahul

KL Rahul stated that stepping away from the game is easier, but the toughest part is convincing the mind to let go and focus on family and personal happiness. Rahul added that cricket will continue to thrive in India and around the world, with or without any one player.

“Just quit. Just enjoy the stuff that you've got and you have your family and just do that. That's the hardest battle. So I try and tell myself that I'm not that important," Rahul continued.

"Cricket in our country will carry on. Cricket in the world will carry on. There are more important things in life and I think this mindset I've always had, but ever since I've had my first baby, it's just like, you know, the way you look at life is completely different. So yeah, that's what I am,” he added.

KL Rahul’s International Record and Recent Performances

KL Rahul made his Test debut for India against Australia in December 2014. He has scored 4,053 runs in 67 matches at an average of 35.86, with 11 centuries and 20 half-centuries.

Rahul has played 94 ODIs and scored 3,360 runs at an average of 50.90 and a strike rate of 90.44, including eight hundreds and 20 fifties. He has also featured in 72 T20Is for India, scoring 2,265 runs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 139.16, with two centuries and 22 half-centuries.

Rahul was last seen in action during the three-match home ODI series against New Zealand. In the opening match, he scored an unbeaten 29 off 21 balls to help India win by four wickets.

In the second ODI, he remained not out on 112 from 92 balls to register his eighth ODI century. However, he managed only one run from six balls in the final match. India lost the series 1-2 as New Zealand secured their first-ever men’s bilateral ODI series victory on Indian soil.

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