‘Just quit when the time comes’: KL Rahul opens up on injuries, mental battles, and cricket’s next chapter

NEW DELHI: India batter KL Rahul admits that his career has not yet fulfilled the lofty potential of his batting ability. The Karnataka batter, however, has found a new lease of life in a stable role in India’s ODI middle-order, emerging as one of the world’s most reliable No. 5 batter since 2023.

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In that period, Rahul is the only No. 5 batter globally to maintain a 60-plus average and a strike rate near 100 in 50-over cricket. At 33, he seems to be ripening in ODIs, even as his T20I career remains on pause since 2022, and his Test average of 35.86 continues to belie his true potential.




In a conversation with former England captain Kevin Pietersen on YouTube, Rahul reflected candidly on the idea of retirement. “I don’t think it’s [retirement] 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,” he said, emphasising a pragmatic approach to life beyond cricket.

Rahul also discussed the mental toll of repeated injuries, which have often been harder to overcome than the physical pain. “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. It’s not the pain… 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,” he said.


He added that keeping a balanced perspective has helped him prepare for the eventual end of his international career. “Just quit. Just enjoy the stuff that you’ve got and you have your family and just do that. That’s the hardest battle… 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… the way you look at life is completely different,” Rahul said.

After completing India’s ODI assignments earlier this month, Rahul is set to return to domestic action, turning out for Karnataka in a must-win Ranji Trophy clash against Punjab in Mohali on Thursday.


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