Kannaur Lokesh Rahul, an Indian cricketer born on 18 April 1992 in Bengaluru, became the first player from his country to score a century on his One-Day International debut. A versatile athlete, he has represented the national team across all three primary formats of the sport, including service as a former Indian cricket team captain.
Early Development
Born to professors KN Lokesh and Rajeshwari, Rahul spent his formative years in Surathkal, Mangalore. He attended NITK English Medium School and later St. Aloysius PU College. His introduction to competitive cricket began at age 10, eventually leading him to play for the Bangalore United Cricket Club. In 2010, at the age of 18, he relocated to Bangalore to pursue studies at Jain University while intensifying his focus on professional cricket.
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Rahul debuted in first-class cricket for Karnataka during the 2010–11 season and appeared in the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. His domestic consistency reached a peak during the 2013–14 Ranji Trophy, where he scored 1,033 runs. His performance in the 2014–15 Duleep Trophy final, where he recorded scores of 185 and 130, solidified his path to international selection. He remains a prominent figure for Karnataka, returning to the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2026.
International Career
His international debut occurred during the 2014 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Rahul quickly established himself as a multi-format threat, notably scoring his first ODI century against Zimbabwe in 2016. He further demonstrated his capability in T20I cricket, becoming the fastest player at the time to record centuries in all three formats. Beyond his batting, he has served as a wicket-keeper and is currently the vice-captain of the Indian Test cricket team.
Personal Life
On 23 January 2023, Rahul married actress Athiya Shetty, the daughter of actor Sunil Shetty, following a three-year relationship. The couple welcomed a daughter on 24 March 2025.
Fast facts
- Born: 18 April 1992, Bengaluru
- Test debut: 2014, Boxing Day Test
- Education: Mangalore University, JAIN (Deemed-to-be-University), St. Aloysius University
- Spouse: Athiya Shetty
- ODI debut: 2016 against Zimbabwe
- Domestic team: Karnataka
Questions readers ask
What record does KL Rahul hold in ODI cricket?
He is the first and only Indian cricketer to score a century on his ODI debut.
Did KL Rahul participate in the 2019 Cricket World Cup?
Yes, he was part of the squad and finished as India's third-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 361 runs.
