KL Rahul on one year of fatherhood! Reflects on balance, maturity and the renewed drive it brings to his game

Last month, KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty marked one year of parenthood. The couple welcomed their baby girl, Evaarah, on March 24, 2025. Talking about the experience of stepping into fatherhood, the cricketer says, “It changes you in ways you don’t expect. I think the biggest shift is perspective. Things that would bother me earlier don’t hit the same way anymore. You realise what truly matters, and that clarity helps on the field too. There’s a calmness that comes from knowing there’s something bigger waiting for you at home. It doesn’t reduce your hunger. If anything, it adds more purpose to what you do.”


‘It’s about learning to make the most of whatever time you have’

Rahul, who is currently playing for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, slammed 152 against the Punjab Kings on Saturday. Talking about balancing the demands of a cricketing career with being a father to a one-year-old, Rahul says, “It’s not easy, I’ll be honest.”

He adds, "The schedule is demanding, there are stretches where you’re away and you miss those little everyday moments. But I try to be very present when I am home with no distractions, just fully there. When I am away, technology helps too, with video calls, photos and updates. I think it is also about learning to make the most of whatever time you have, rather than stressing about the time that you don’t have.”

‘I believe that I have something to offer across formats’

With a packed international calendar ahead, ask him how he views his role across formats, and he says, “My focus right now is on performing consistently wherever I get the opportunity. I’ve never been someone who limits myself to one format because I believe that I have something to offer across formats. I also understand that these decisions aren’t entirely in my hands. What I can control is my preparation, my fitness and my performances. If I keep doing that, everything else will follow. The goal is to be available, be ready and contribute whenever the team needs me.”

KL Rahul, who's the Global Brand Ambassador for Crocs India, and the face of their new campaign, Play Hard. Rest Easy spoke to us during the promotions. Talking about his love for the footwear, he said, "I’ve been wearing them for years, just because they fit so effortlessly into my lifestyle. I’m always on the move with all the travelling, switching between work and personal commitments, so I naturally gravitate towards things that feel easy but still look put-together.
For me, it’s not just about comfort vs style, it’s about finding that sweet spot where you don’t have to compromise on either."

Ask him if he had to gift a pair to his fellow cricketer who would that be and he is quick to answer, "I’d gift it to all of those who are always switched on, always intense, always pushing, whether it’s training or a match. I think that’s most of us, actually! We’d all appreciate something that forces us to just slow down and relax for a bit. And honestly, most cricketers I know could use that reminder to rest easy once in a while. That’s the whole point, right?"