KL Rahul’s name has an interesting backstory. His father, a big fan of cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, wanted to name him after Gavaskar’s son. He thought the son’s name was Rahul, so he named his own son KL Rahul. But in reality, Gavaskar’s son is named Rohan — not Rahul. So, it was a mistake. But what started as an error has now become a name known across the cricketing world because of KL Rahul’s own achievements.
What Inspired KL Rahul to Take Up Cricket?
While his name came from a mix-up, KL Rahul’s journey in cricket has been full of strong influences — especially Rahul Dravid. KL Rahul has often said that Rahul Dravid played a big role in shaping his career. He admired Dravid’s calm nature and batting style. Whenever Rahul struggled with form, he reached out to Dravid for advice. Their bond grew stronger over time.
The connection between the two is deeper than just a shared name. Rahul has said Dravid’s method of batting and mental toughness helped him in many ways. He has taken inspiration from Dravid’s approach and applied it to his own cricket style.
Besides Dravid, KL Rahul also looks up to other greats like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. He even admires athletes outside cricket — such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Jordan — because of their hard work and dedication.
KL Rahul: Records and Stats
KL Rahul is now one of India’s top cricketers in all formats. Born on April 18, 1992, in Bangalore, he started playing cricket when he was just 10 years old. Since making his debut for India in 2014, he has become a reliable wicketkeeper-batsman.
Career Statistics:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Avg | 100s | 50s | Catches/Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 58 | 101 | 3257 | 199 | 33.57 | 8 | 17 | 74/0 |
| ODIs | 85 | 79 | 3043 | 112 | 49.08 | 7 | 18 | 71/8 |
| T20Is | 72 | 68 | 2265 | 110* | 37.75 | 2 | 22 | 23/1 |
| IPL | 141 | 132 | 5054 | 132* | 45.94 | 4 | 40 | 81/7 |
Major Achievements:
First Indian to score a century on ODI debut
Fastest Indian to score centuries in all three international formats (in just 20 innings)
Scored IPL’s fastest fifty (14 balls) in 2018
Won the Orange Cap in IPL 2020 for scoring 670 runs
Scored 337 in a domestic match – a triple century
Played in the 2023 World Cup Final
Won Champions Trophy 2025 and Asia Cups in 2018 & 2023
Played for five different teams in the IPL
Conclusion: KL Rahul Made His Own Name
KL Rahul wasn’t named after a famous cricketer — it was just a mistake. But he turned that name into something special through his talent and hard work. With help from mentors like Rahul Dravid, and through his own determination, he has built a strong reputation in Indian cricket.
Now, as he continues playing in the IPL for Delhi Capitals and for Team India, KL Rahul stands tall as one of the best in the game. His story shows that sometimes, even mistakes can lead to something great.
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