12 Interesting facts about KL Rahul

KL Rahul is one of the most talented batsmen in the country at present. Measured aggression combined with sound technique and a stable head makes him one of the most highly-rated batsmen in the country who has the ability to serve at the highest level for a long period of time. He has a strong appetite for runs and has shown his hunger at the domestic and the international level. The Bangalorean is also a handy wicketkeeper and keeps wickets if the need arises in the absence of regular ones.

1. Birth:

Kannur Lokesh Rahul was born on April 18, 1992, in the port city of Mangalore, Karnataka.

2. Family:

Rahul belongs from a teaching family. His father KN Lokesh is a professor of Civil Engineering at the NITK, Mangalore. His mother, Rajeshwari, is an associate professor at Mangalore University’s undergraduate college.

3. Interesting story behind his name:

KL Rahul’s father was a big fan of Sunil Gavaskar and wanted to name his son after the little master’s son. But, he mistook Rohan Gavaskar’s first name as Rahul.

4. Early cricketing career:

Rahul started playing cricket at the age of 11. He also played volleyball, hockey, football at school level but chose cricket as his priority. At the age of 17, he moved later moved to Bangalore and joined Bangalore United Cricket Club. He has represented Karnataka at the Under – 13, 15, 17, 19 and 23 levels before featuring for the Ranji team.

5. Cricketing Idol:

KL Rahul admires and idolizes the legendary Rahul Dravid. He also shares a very strong rapport with the legend.

6. First-class debut:

Rahul’s made a memorable first-class debut for Karnataka as an 18-year-old in 2010 and impressed everyone right away with a knock of 61 against Punjab.

7. Unique feat:

Karnataka has produced many batsmen of high caliber who have served the state wonderfully. However, no other cricketer other than KL Rahul has hit a triple-century in a first class match. He scored a mammoth 337 off 448 balls against Uttar Pradesh in the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy.

8. Architect of Karnataka’s Ranji triumph:

Rahul played a crucial role in Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy victory in 2014/15 season. He amassed 1033 runs, which included three centuries, three nineties, and a Man-of-the-Match performance in the final.

9. International debut:

KL Rahul made his international debut for India in the 2014 Boxing Day Test match. He was included in the squad after solid performance in the 2014 domestic season.

10. Maiden Test ton:

Rahul had a poor debut match where scored only 3 & 1. However, his second Test was a memorable one for him. He retained his place for the 4th Test played at Sydney Cricket Ground. He opened the innings with Murali Vijay and slammed his maiden international hundred, finishing with 110 runs to his name.

11. Indian Premier league:

Rahul attracted plenty of attention at the 2014 IPL auction and was finally bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs. 1 crore (US$ 166,000 approx.)

12. Love for tattoos:

KL Rahul has a collection of seven tattoos inked on his body. He admits that he is addicted to tattoos and plans to get more in future.