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{{Short description|Indian cricketer (born 1992)}}
#REDIRECT [[K. L. Rahul]]
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name              = KL Rahul
| image              = KL Rahul at Femina Miss India 2018 Grand Finale (cropped).jpg
| caption            = KL Rahul in 2018
| fullname          = Kannaur Lokesh Rahul
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1992|04|18|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Bangalore, Karnataka]], India{{efn|name=birthplace|Some sources say KL is born in Bangalore,<ref>{{cite web |title=KL Rahul |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/422108.html |website=Cricinfo |access-date=3 April 2021}}</ref> whereas some other sources say he is born in Mangalore.<ref name=ci>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/8733/kl-rahul|title=KL Rahul profile and biography, stats, records, averages, photos and videos|website=cricbuzz| access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref>}} 
| nickname = KL
| height            =
| batting            = Right-handed
| role              = [[Batting order (cricket)#Opening batters|Opening batsman]] [[wicket-Keeper]]
| international      = true
| internationalspan  = 2014–present
| country            = India
| testcap            = 284
| testdebutagainst  = Australia
| testdebutdate      = 26 December
| testdebutyear      = 2014
| lasttestdate      = 11 January
| lasttestyear      = 2022
| lasttestagainst    = South Africa
| odicap            = 213
| odidebutagainst    = Zimbabwe
| odidebutdate      = 11 June
| odidebutyear      = 2016
| lastodidate        = 22 August
| lastodiyear        = 2022
| lastodiagainst    = Zimbabwe
| odishirt          = 1
| T20Icap            = 63
| T20Idebutagainst  = Zimbabwe
| T20Idebutdate      = 18 June
| T20Idebutyear      = 2016
| lastT20Iagainst    = Pakistan
| lastT20Idate      = 4 September
| lastT20Iyear      = 2022
| T20Ishirt          = 1
| club1              = [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]]
| year1              = {{nowrap|2010–present}}
| club2              = [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]]
| year2              = 2013
| club3              = [[Sunrisers Hyderabad]]
| year3              = 2014–2015
| club4              = [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]]
| year4              = 2016<!-- played no IPL matches at all in 2017 -->
| club5              = [[Punjab Kings]]
| year5              = {{nowrap|2018–2021}}
| club6              = [[Lucknow Super Giants]]
| year6              = {{nowrap|2022}}
| columns            = 4
| column1            = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| column2            = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| column3            = [[Twenty20 International|T20I]]
| column4            = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches1          = 43
| matches2          = 42
| matches3          = 56
| matches4          = 86
| runs1              = 2,547
| runs2              = 1,634
| runs3              = 1,831
| runs4              = 6,444
| bat avg1          = 35.37
| bat avg2          = 46.69
| bat avg3          = 40.69
| bat avg4          = 45.70
| 100s/50s1          = 7/13
| 100s/50s2          = 5/10
| 100s/50s3          = 2/16
| 100s/50s4          = 17/31
| top score1        = 199
| top score2        = 112
| top score3        = 110[[Not out|*]]
| top score4        = 337
| deliveries1        = –
| deliveries2        = –
| deliveries3        = –
| deliveries4        = 168
| wickets1          = –
| wickets2          = –
| wickets3          = –
| wickets4          = 0
| bowl avg1          = –
| bowl avg2          = –
| bowl avg3          = –
| bowl avg4          = –
| fivefor1          = –
| fivefor2          = –
| fivefor3          = –
| fivefor4          = –
| tenfor1            = –
| tenfor2            = –
| tenfor3            = –
| tenfor4            = –
| best bowling1      = –
| best bowling2      = –
| best bowling3      = –
| best bowling4      = –
| catches/stumpings1 = 50/–
| catches/stumpings2 = 21/2
| catches/stumpings3 = 20/1
| catches/stumpings4 = 90/–
|      hidedeliveries = true
| source            = http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/422108.html ESPNcricinfo
| date              = 4 September
| year              = 2022
}}
 
'''Kannaur Lokesh Rahul''' (born 18 April 1992) is an Indian [[cricket]]er who currently is the [[Vice Captain (cricket)|vice-captain]] of the [[India national cricket team|India national team]] in all formats. He plays for [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]] in domestic cricket. He is the current captain of [[Lucknow Super Giants]] in the [[Indian Premier League]]. In the second test against South Africa in January 2022, Rahul [[List of India national cricket captains|captained India]] for the first time in test cricket and became the 34th Test [[Captain (cricket)|captain]] of [[India]].
 
Rahul made his international debut in 2014 and scored his maiden [[Test cricket|Test]] century in his second [[Test cricket|Test match]]. He was the first Indian to [[List of centuries scored on One Day International cricket debut|score a century on men's One Day International debut]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abplive.in/sports/india-vs-zimbabwe-2016-kl-rahul-creates-big-record-on-odi-debut-harare-360631|title=India vs Zimbabwe 2016: KL Rahul creates history on ODI debut|date=11 June 2016|website=ABP Live|access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> and the third Indian cricketer to score a century in all three formats of [[International cricket|international cricket.]]
 
==Early life==
KL Rahul was born on 18 April 1992 to KN Lokesh and Rajeshwari in [[Bangalore]]. His father Lokesh, who was born in Kananur, [[Magadi]] taluk, is a professor and former director at the [[National Institute of Technology Karnataka]] (NITK)<ref>{{Cite web|title= CV of Dr. K. N. Lokesh|url=http://civil.nitk.ac.in/sites/default/files/faculty-CV/Lokesh_CV.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512214847/http://civil.nitk.ac.in/sites/default/files/faculty-CV/Lokesh_CV.pdf|archive-date=12 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Former Directors {{!}} NITK Surathkal|url=https://www.nitk.ac.in/Former_Directors|access-date=26 October 2020|website=www.nitk.ac.in}}</ref> in [[Mangalore]]. His mother Rajeshwari is a professor at [[Mangalore University]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.india.com/sports/cricket-kl-rahul-feels-2019-suspension-changed-his-thought-process-helps-him-to-become-better-team-player-4057523/ |title= KL Rahul Feels 2019 Suspension Changed His Thought Process, Helps Him to Become Better 'Team Player' pandemic |newspaper=India.com |access-date=26 March 2021 |date=14 June 2020}}</ref> Lokesh, who was a fan of the cricketer [[Sunil Gavaskar]], wanted to name his son after Gavaskar's, but mistook [[Rohan Gavaskar]]'s name as Rahul.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaishankar |first1=Vedam |title=India vs West Indies: KL Rahul's story would probably do a movie scriptwriter proud |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/india-vs-west-indies-kl-rahuls-story-would-probably-do-a-movie-scriptwriter-proud-2926970.html |access-date=14 February 2020 |work=Firstpost |date=1 August 2016}}</ref>
 
Rahul grew up in [[Mangalore]], completing his high school at NITK English Medium School and pre-university at [[St. Aloysius College (Mangalore)|St. Aloysius College]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Achal |first1=Ashwin |title=K.L. Rahul: A classy talent with an aggressive streak |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/kl-rahul-a-classy-talent-with-an-aggressive-streak/article27226734.ece |access-date=27 March 2021 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=24 May 2019}}</ref> He started  cricket training at the age of 10, and, two years later, started playing matches for both Bangalore United Cricket Club and his club in Mangalore.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Achal |first1=Ashwin |title=World Cup: Mangalore, Bangalore, England - the Rahul journey! |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/magazine/world-cup-k-l-rahul-player-profile-team-india-rahul-dravid-ksca-chinnaswamy-stadium/article27205940.ece |access-date=14 February 2020 |work=Sportstar |date=23 May 2019}}</ref> At age 18 he moved to [[Bangalore]] to study at [[Jain University]] and pursue his cricket career.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.oneindia.com/sports/cricket/boxing-day-test-who-is-kl-rahul-india-debutant-1603556.html|title=Boxing Day Test: Who is KL Rahul?|website=www.oneindia.com|date=26 December 2014|access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://m.rediff.com/cricket/report/lokesh-rahul-dad-gavaskar-opener-india-test-team-australia-samuel-jayaraj/20141112.htm|title=Rahul's dad, a Gavaskar fan, happy son is selected for Aus tour as opener|website=Rediff|access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Steady climber Lokesh Rahul reaches the top with trip Down Under|date=11 November 2014|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/steady-climber-rahul-reaches-the-top-with-trip-down-under/|publisher=The Indian Express|access-date=11 November 2014}}</ref>
 
==Playing style==
Rahul is a Right-handed batsman who can occasionally do wicket-keeping as well. He is a flexible batsman. He opens the batting in T20Is and Tests and currently plays in middle order for [[India national cricket team|India]] in ODIs. A tall, elegant right-hand batsman who can keep wicket in a crisis, KL Rahul is among the most highly rated opening batsmen in India's next generation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KL Rahul profile, biography, stats and news by espncricinfo|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/kl-rahul-422108|access-date=25 February 2022|website=Espn cricinfo}}</ref>He is naturally an aggressive batsman who can switch the gears according to the situation.
 
{{quote |"He (Rahul) has been absolutely terrific in the last couple of IPLs. Look at the rate at which he has been scoring and he plays authentic cricket shots. He plays the occasional scoop or reverse sweep but, because he has got all the normal cricketing shots in the book, he doesn’t have to resort to these other shots."
| source = [[Sunil Gavaskar]], November 2021<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/kl-rahul-sunil-gavaskar-in-awe-of-kl-rahuls-batting-style-in-t20-cricket-he-has-been-absolutely-terrific-india-vs-scotland-t20-world-cup/829735|title='He has been absolutely terrific': Sunil Gavaskar in awe of KL Rahul's batting style in T20 cricket|work=Times Now|date=7 November 2021}}</ref>
}}
Brian Lara heaped praise for KL Rahul, when he was asked to name the current batsman who he loves to watch:


{{quote |"That's easy, KL Rahul. If you are talking about the two teams that are playing, KL Rahul is definitely someone for me who I would pay to watch bat. I just love watching KL Rahul. Especially in the T20 version of the game, when you see a guy batting with the technique and ability to score runs with traditional batting shots, it's just exceptional to watch.He is an interesting one for me because if you wind the clock back 2 or 3 years ago, he was probably more an out-and-out technically correct Test match batsman. But what he has been able to do with his T20 batting in the last two IPLs, has been absolutely unbelievable. He is turning himself now to be a better white-ball player than he is a Test match player and that doesn't happen very often."
{{Redirect category shell|
| source = [[Brian Lara]], December 2020<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-ind-v-aus-2020-kl-rahul-someone-i-pay-watch-bat-brian-lara-picks-favorite-indian-batsman|title=IND v AUS 2020: KL Rahul is someone who I would pay to watch bat - Brian Lara picks his favorite Indian batsman|work=sportskeeda|date=8 December 2020}}</ref>
{{R from move}}
}}
}}
==Domestic career==
Rahul made his [[first-class cricket]] debut for [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]] in the 2010–11 season. In the same season he represented his country at the [[2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup]], scoring a total of 143 runs in the competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=5324;team=1854;type=tournament |title=Records / ICC Under-19 World Cup, 2009/10 - India Under-19s (Young Cricketers) / Batting and Bowling Averages |work=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> He made his debut in the [[Indian Premier League]] in 2013, for [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/8733/lokesh-rahul|title=Lokesh Rahul Profile - ICC Ranking, Age, Career Info & Stats|website=Cricbuzz}}</ref> During the 2013–14 domestic season he scored 1,033 first-class runs, the second highest scorer that season.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
Playing for [[South Zone cricket team|South Zone]] in the final of the [[2014–15 Duleep Trophy]] against Central Zone, Rahul scored 185 off 233 balls in the first innings and 130 off 152 in the second. He was named the player of the match and selection to the Indian Test squad for the [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2014–15|Australian tour]] followed.
Returning home after the Test series, Rahul became Karnataka's first triple-centurion, scoring 337 against [[Uttar Pradesh cricket team|Uttar Pradesh]]. He went on to score 188 in the [[2014–15 Ranji Trophy]] final against [[Tamil Nadu cricket team|Tamil Nadu]] and finished the season with an average of 93.11 in the nine matches he played.
==International career==
[[File:K.L. Rahul.jpg|right|thumb|K.L. Rahul practicing in nets (2019)]]
===Test debut and start of test career===
Rahul made his Test debut in the 2014 [[Boxing Day Test]] at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]. He replaced [[Rohit Sharma]] and was presented with his Test cap by [[MS Dhoni]]. He batted at number six and made three runs in the first innings; in the second innings, he played at number 3 and made only 1 run but retained his place for the next Test at [[Sydney Cricket Ground|Sydney]] where he opened the innings with [[Murali Vijay]] and made 110 runs, his maiden international hundred.
He was part of the 15-man squad for the [[Indian cricket team in Bangladesh in 2015|Indian tour of Bangladesh in June 2015]] but withdrew due to [[Dengue fever]]. He returned to the side for the first Test of the [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2015|Sri Lankan tour]] after Murali Vijay was ruled out due to injury, scoring his second Test century and winning the Man of the Match award. During the match, he kept the wickets after [[Wriddhiman Saha]] was injured.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2015/content/story/911249.html|title=Rahul 108 shores up India on fluctuating day|date=20 August 2015|website=Cricinfo}}</ref>
===ODI and T20I debut===
Rahul was named in the squad to [[Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2016|tour Zimbabwe in 2016]] and made his [[One Day International]] (ODI) debut against [[Zimbabwe cricket team|Zimbabwe]] at [[Harare Sports Club]] and scored unbeaten 100*(115) on debut. Thus, he became the first Indian cricketer to score a century on ODI debut. He was adjudged the man of the series on his debut ODI. series<ref name="ODI">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1007649.html |title=India tour of Zimbabwe, 1st ODI: Zimbabwe v India at Harare, Jun 11, 2016 |access-date=11 June 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-india-2016/engine/match/1007649.html|title=India 173/1 (42.3 ov, KL Rahul 100*, AT Rayudu 62*, H Masakadza 0/19) – Match over {{!}} Live Scorecard {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|website=Cricinfo|access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> He made his [[Twenty20 International]] (T20I) debut as well later in the same tour.<ref name="T20I">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1007655.html |title=India tour of Zimbabwe, 1st T20I: Zimbabwe v India at Harare, Jun 18, 2016 |access-date=18 June 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref>
===Rise through the ranks===
Rahul was picked in the Indian squad for the [[Indian cricket team in the West Indies in 2016|tour of West Indies in 2016]]. Rahul played in the second Test at [[Sabina Park|Jamaica]] and scored a strokeful 158, his highest Test score then. In the process, he became the first Indian opener to score a century in his debut Test in the West Indies.<ref name="Debut ton">{{cite web |url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/81734/india-cricket-team-vs-west-indies-statistical-highlights-kl-rahul-becomes-first-indian-opener-to-score-ton-on-debut-in-west-indies|title=KL Rahul becomes first Indian opener to score ton on debut in West Indies |access-date=31 July 2016 |work=Cricbuzz}}</ref> In the first match of the T20I series in the United States, he scored
an unbeaten century 110* off 51 balls in a losing cause, which was the second-fastest century (46 balls) ever and the fastest by an Indian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-india-2016/content/story/1051027.html | title=Most runs, most sixes, and two seriously quick hundreds | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | access-date=28 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-india-2016/content/story/1050799.html | title=Bravo magic seals one-run win in 489-run T20I | publisher=espncricinfo | access-date=28 August 2016}}</ref> He also set the world record for being the only player to score hundred in first innings as opener in both Tests and ODIs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/india-in-zimbabwe-2016/top-stories/Rahul-becomes-first-to-score-hundred-in-first-innings-as-opener-in-Tests-and-ODIs/articleshow/52705119.cms|title=Rahul becomes first to score hundred in first innings as opener in Tests and ODIs - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=22 March 2017}}</ref>
Rahul set the record for the fastest batsman to have scored centuries in all three formats in just 20 innings surpassing the record of [[Ahmed Shehzad]] who took 76 innings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inshorts.com/news/kl-rahul-quickest-to-score-tons-in-all-3-formats-1472353196961|title=KL Rahul quickest to score tons in all 3 formats|website=Inshorts - Stay Informed|language=en|access-date=22 March 2017}}</ref> He is the first player in T20I history to score a century (110*) while batting at number 4 position or lower. On 3 July 2018, Rahul smashed his second T20 International ton against  England.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284241.html|title=Records {{!}} Twenty20 Internationals {{!}} Batting records {{!}} Most runs in an innings (by batting position) {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|work=Cricinfo|access-date=22 March 2017}}</ref> He is also the first Indian batsman to be dismissed hit- wicket in T20Is.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crictracker.com/nidahas-trophy-2018-sri-lanka-vs-india-4th-t20i-statistical-highlights/|title=Nidahas Trophy 2018, Sri Lanka vs India, 4th T20I – Statistical Highlights|work=CricTracker |date=12 March 2018|access-date=13 March 2018}}</ref>
===Controversy and suspension===
On 11 January 2019, [[Hardik Pandya]] and K. L. Rahul were suspended by the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) following controversial comments they made on the Indian talk show ''[[Koffee with Karan]]'' earlier in the month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25734587/hardik-pandya-kl-rahul-sit-sydney-odi |title=Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul suspended pending inquiry |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref> They were both sent home ahead of the ODI series [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2018–19|against Australia]] and the fixtures of [[Indian cricket team in New Zealand in 2018–19|India's tour to New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/971582 |title=Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul both suspended with immediate effect |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref> On 24 January 2019, after lifting the suspension on Pandya and Rahul, the BCCI announced that Rahul would re-join the squad for India A matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25840027/pandya-rahul-suspensions-lifted-pending-bcci-ombudsman-appointment |title=Pandya to join India squad in New Zealand, Rahul to play for India A |access-date=24 January 2019 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref>
===Playing for the first time at the World Cup===
In April 2019, he was named in [[2019 Cricket World Cup squads#India|India's squad]] for the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26528278/rahul-karthik-pant-rayudu-india-world-cup-squad |title=Rahul and Karthik in, Pant and Rayudu out of India's World Cup squad |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=15 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1179330 |title=Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar in India's World Cup squad |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=15 April 2019}}</ref> He played at number 4 in the first 2 games but got back to opening the innings alongside [[Rohit Sharma]] as [[Shikhar Dhawan]] was ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to injury. In the first match as opener in the world cup against [[Pakistan Cricket Board|Pakistan]], Rahul scored 57 and put up 136 run opening stand alongside [[Rohit Sharma]]. In the last league game against Sri Lanka, KL scored 112 runs which was his maiden hundred for India in the [[2019 Cricket World Cup|World Cup]].
Overall, KL scored 361 runs with 2 fifties and 1 hundred in the tournament and finished as India's third highest run scorer in the tournament after [[Rohit Sharma]] and [[Virat Kohli]]. <ref>{{cite web |title=India vs Sri Lanka: KL Rahul hits maiden World Cup hundred |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket-world-cup-2019/story/india-vs-sri-lanka-kl-rahul-hits-maiden-world-cup-hundred-1563658-2019-07-06 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
===Consistency in limited over formats and dip in form in tests===
Due to lack of form in the Test format, Rahul was dropped from the Test squad for the Home tests against South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why was K.L Rahul dropped from test squad?|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/sports/2019/09/12/Why-was-K-L-Rahul-dropped-from-Test-squad.html|access-date=25 February 2022|website=The Week}}</ref> However, he rose through the ranks in the limited over formats.
In December 2019, in the first T20I match against the [[West Indian cricket team in India in 2019–20|West Indies]], Rahul scored his 1,000th run in T20I cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1519908 |title=Virat Kohli's 94* leads India to stunning victory |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref> He scored 62 (40) in the first T20I against West Indies. He scored 91 (56) in the third T20I for which he was adjudged the Man of the match. He scored his 3rd ODI century in the 2nd ODI against West Indies. In the 2 match T20I series against Sri Lanka, KL scored 45 in the first match and 54 in the second T20I. He continued his good form ahead.
In January 2020, Rahul made 80 (52) batting at number five in the second ODI against Australia and was rewarded as the man of the match.<ref>{{cite web |title=2nd ODI: Virat Kohli heaps praise on KL Rahul after 52-ball 80 in Rajkot|url= https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket-india-vs-australia-2nd-odi-virat-kohli-heaps-praise-on-kl-rahul-after-52-ball-80-in-rajkot-580656|website=India TV news |date= 17 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref> 
In India's [[Indian cricket team in New Zealand in 2019–20|tour of New Zealand in 2019–20]], Rahul was declared man of the series in the five-match T20I series for scoring 224 runs at an average of 56. He was also the stand in captain in the 5th T20I after [[Rohit Sharma]] suffered a hamstring injury during the 1st innings. In the ODI series against New Zealand, he scored 88* (64) in the first ODI and scored his fourth ton in ODIs, 112 (113) in the third ODI.<ref>{{cite web |title=India vs New Zealand: KL Rahul's century in vain, New Zealand sweep ODI series 3-0 |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/india-vs-new-zealand-kl-rahuls-century-in-vain-new-zealand-sweep-odi-series-3-0/articleshow/74080872.cms
|website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
===Australia Tour and home matches against England===
In October 2020, Rahul was named as [[India national cricket team|India]]'s [[Vice-captain (cricket)|vice captain]] for the [[One Day International|ODI]] and [[Twenty20 International|T20I]] series [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2020-21|against Australia]]. Rahul had a moderate ODI and T20I series against Australia. He made 77 against Australia in the second ODI and 51 in the first T20I. India lost the ODI series 2–1, but won the T20I series by the same margin.
Rahul was included in the test squad for the [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2020-21#Test series|Border-Gavaskar Trophy]] but was not picked in the playing XI for the first two Tests. He injured himself during practice and was ruled out of the remaining part of the tour.
As a result, he also missed the [[English cricket team in India in 2020-21|home Test series against England]] in February 2021. He returned to the national side for the T20I and ODI series against England. There was a dip in his form in the T20I series. He returned to form in the ODI series scoring a match-winning 62* and was involved in a 100-run partnership with debutant Krunal Pandya who scored a fifty. He continued his form by scoring 108 runs in the second ODI and was involved in another 100-run partnership with Rishabh Pant.<ref>{{Cite news|title=KL Rahul reveals significance of his unique century celebration|url=https://crickettimes.com/2021/03/ind-vs-eng-kl-rahul-reveals-significance-of-his-unique-century-celebration/|website=CricketTimes.com|language=en-US|access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref>
===Comeback in Test Format===
Rahul was named in India's test squad for their [[Indian cricket team in England in 2021|tour of England]] in 2021. As Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal were injured, KL Rahul returned to test cricket and opened alongside teammate [[Rohit Sharma]].In the first test at Nottingham, Rahul scored 84 and 26. He went on to score a ton i.e., 129 (250) at Lords and was awarded as the man of the match in the second test. Rahul scored 315 runs in eight innings of four matches played and was the second highest run scorer for India in the tour with [[Rohit Sharma]] being the highest run scorer for the team.<ref>{{Cite news|title=India's Tour of England: KL Rahul breaks records at Lord's|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/magazine/statsman-kl-rahul-breaks-records-at-lords-rohit-sharma-test-new-marks-milestones-cricket-stats/article36219228.ece|website=Sportstar the Hindu.com|language=en|access-date=31 January 2022}}</ref>
===T20I World cup 2021===
In September 2021, Rahul was named in India's squad for the [[2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/india-s-2021-t20-world-cup-squad-r-ashwin-picked-ms-dhoni-mentor-1276821 |title=India's T20 World Cup squad: R Ashwin picked, MS Dhoni mentor |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=8 September 2021}}</ref> He was the highest run scorer for India (11th overall) in the whole tournament, scoring 194 runs which included three consecutive fifties. He also scored the tournament's joint fastest fifty in just 18 balls, against [[Scotland cricket team|Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 November 2021|title=T20 World Cup 2021: Shoaib Malik smashes fastest 50 of tournament, Pakistan book Australia clash in SF|url=https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/t20-world-cup-2021-shoaib-malik-smashes-fastest-50-of-tournament-pakistan-book-australia-clash-in-sf-2408657.html|access-date=12 November 2021|website=Zee News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=5 November 2021 |title=KL Rahul hits second fastest fifty by an Indian in T20 World Cups in Dubai blitz against Scotland|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/t20-world-cup-2021/story/kl-rahul-hits-2nd-fastest-fifty-by-an-indian-in-t20-world-cups-in-dubai-blitz-against-scotland-1873596-2021-11-05|access-date=12 November 2021|magazine=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
===Promotion to vice captaincy===
After Virat Kohli stepped down as Indian T20i captain, KL was appointed the Vice-captain of [[Indian Cricket Team]] in T20i as former Vice-captain Rohit Sharma was appointed the new Captain of T20i format. Later, KL was appointed ODI's vice-captain as well due to change of captaincy in white ball format of Indian team.
In December 2021, Rahul was named as India's test vice-captain for the [[Indian cricket team in South Africa in 2021-22|away series against South Africa]] after India's regular vice-captain [[Rohit Sharma]] was ruled out of the series. Rahul was also named as the ODI captain for the [[Indian cricket team in South Africa in 2021-22#ODI series|One Day series]] of the same tour as India's regular ODI captain [[Rohit Sharma]] was ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. In the first test match against South Africa in December 2021, he scored 123 in India's first innings and 23 in India's second innings. For this match-winning performance, he was awarded the Man of the Match award.
===Captaining India for first time===
In the second test against South Africa in January 2022, Rahul [[List of India national cricket captains|captained India]] for the first time in test cricket and became the 34th Test captain of India. He scored a half-century on captaincy debut. Despite his best efforts, Rahul couldn't lead the team to victory and India lost the second Test by seven wickets. In first ODI against South Africa, he made his debut in ODI Captaincy and became the 26th ODI captain of India, however India lost the series 3–0 to South Africa.
===2022===
In February 2022, During the second ODI of India against the West Indies, Rahul scored 49 (48) and completed 6000 runs in [[International cricket]] across all formats. In the same ODI, Rahul sustained an upper left hamstring strain, and was ruled out of the next ODI as well as the upcoming T20Is series against the West Indies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KL Rahul and Axar Patel ruled out of T20Is against West Indies|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ind-vs-wi-2021-22-kl-rahul-and-axar-patel-ruled-out-of-t20is-against-west-indies-1300731|access-date=11 February 2022|website=Espncricinfo}}</ref> Rahul was named captain for the [[South African cricket team in India in 2022|South African tour of India in June]], but was later ruled out of the series due to a groin injury.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Rica |title=KL Rahul Out Of SA T20Is Due To Injury, Rishabh Pant To Captain India |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-south-africa-2022/kl-rahul-out-of-sa-t20is-due-to-injury-rishabh-pant-to-captain-india-bcci-sources-3049544 |access-date=8 June 2022 |work=NDTV |date=8 June 202 |language=en}}</ref> After a successful sports hernia surgery, Rahul came back to the team and was named captain for the [[Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2022|India Tour of Zimbabwe in August]].<ref>{{cite news |title=KL Rahul to lead India vs Zimbabwe after being declared fit by medical team |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/kl-rahul-to-lead-india-vs-zimbabwe-after-being-declared-fit-by-medical-team/articleshow/93506827.cms |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=The Economic Times |agency=PTI |date=11 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=India vs Zimbabwe: Not good for Shikhar Dhawan to get replaced as a captain by KL Rahul, says Mohammad Kaif |url=https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/india-vs-zimbabwe-not-good-for-shikhar-dhawan-to-get-replaced-as-a-captain-by-kl-rahul-says-mohammad-kaif-11065241.html |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=Firstpost |date=16 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
==Indian Premier League==
===Beginning of IPL career===
Rahul made his [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL) debut for [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]] (RCB) as a wicket-keeper batsman during the [[2013 IPL|2013 competition]]. Ahead of the [[2014 IPL]], he was bought by the [[Sunrisers Hyderabad]] for [[Indian rupee|INR]] 1 [[crore]], before returning to RCB ahead of the [[2016 IPL]] season.
In the 2016 IPL season with [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]], Rahul finished the season as the 11th highest run-scorer, and RCB's third, with 397 runs from 14 matches. For his performances in the 2016 IPL season, he was named as wicket keeper in the Cricinfo and Cricbuzz IPL XI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2016/content/story/1021857.html|title=Morris and Mustafizur, Krunal and Chahal in IPL XI|date=30 May 2016|website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/80264/indian-premier-league-2016-cricbuzzs-team-of-the-tournament|title = Indian Premier League 2016: Cricbuzz's Team of the Tournament}}</ref>
Rahul missed the [[2017 Indian Premier League|2017 season]] due to a shoulder injury.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 March 2017 |title=KL Rahul to miss IPL 2017 due to shoulder injury: Report |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/ipl-2017/kl-rahul-to-miss-ipl-2017-due-to-shoulder-injury-report/story-gq0WspIHLeZBcTsLR5wRdO.html |access-date=4 April 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
===2018 IPL season===
In the 2018 IPL Auction, he was bought by [[Kings XI Punjab]] (now [[Punjab Kings]]) for INR 11 crore, the joint-third highest price. In the team's first match of the [[2018 IPL|season]] he scored the fastest 50 in IPL history, taking 14 balls to reach the milestone and breaking the record of [[Sunil Narine]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/ipl/article/rcb-vs-kkr-match-after-lokesh-rahul-fastest-ipl-fifty-sunil-narine-slams-17-ball-50-in-ipl-2018-match-3/215273|title=RCB vs KKR match: After Lokesh Rahul's fastest IPL fifty, Sunil Narine slams 17-ball 50 in IPL 2018, Match 3|access-date=9 April 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8048/report/1136562|title=Rahul floors Daredevils with fastest ever IPL fifty|website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=9 April 2018}}</ref>
KL in total scored 659 runs in the season at a strike rate of 158.41 and an average of 54.91. He finished the season as third highest run scorer in the 2018 IPL Season. For his performances in the 2018 IPL season, he was named in the Cricinfo and Cricbuzz IPL XI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23658680/vote-your-ipl-2018-team-tournament|title=Vote for your IPL 2018 team of the tournament|date=31 May 2018|website=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/102276/cb-xi-team-of-ipl-2018|title = CB XI - team of IPL 2018}}</ref>
===2019 IPL season===
After making scores of 90+ three times during 2018, he reached his maiden IPL century in 2019, scoring 100 [[not out]] from 64 against [[Mumbai Indians]].In total KL scored 593 runs in the season with average of 53.90 and strike rate of 135.38. He finished the season as second highest run scorer in the season after [[David Warner (cricketer)|David Warner]](692 runs). For his performances in the 2019 IPL season, he was named in the Cricinfo IPL XI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26736372/dhoni-russell-pandya-espncricinfo-power-packed-ipl-xi|title=Dhoni, Russell, Pandya in ESPNcricinfo's power-packed IPL XI|date=13 May 2019|website=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
===Captaining Kings XI Punjab and 2020 IPL season===
On 19 December 2019, Rahul was officially announced as captain of the [[Kings XI Punjab]] for the [[2020 Indian Premier League|2020 IPL]], after former captain [[Ravichandran Ashwin]] was traded to [[Delhi Capitals]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/kl-rahul-appointed-kxip-captain-for-ipl-2020/articleshow/72889119.cms|title=KL Rahul appointed KXIP captain for IPL 2020 - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref>
In the match against [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]] on 24 September 2020, he scored an unbeaten 132* off just 69 balls. He was declared the man of the match for this record breaking innings. With that century, he broke the record of the most runs scored by an Indian batsman in an IPL match.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 September 2020|title=IPL 2020 Has Its First Century And KL Rahul Is Leading KXIP From The Front|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/sports/ipl-2020-has-its-first-century-and-kl-rahul-is-leading-kxip-from-the-front-523618.html|access-date=25 September 2020|website=IndiaTimes|language=en-IN}}</ref> He also broke the record of the most runs scored by a captain in an IPL match.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 September 2020|title=IPL 2020: Twitter Goes Wild As KL Rahul Scores Sensational Century Against RCB|url=https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket/ipl-2020-twitter-goes-wild-as-kl-rahul-scores-sensational-century-against-rcb/|access-date=25 September 2020|website=CricketAddictor|language=en-US}}</ref>
However, team performance was very poor as they lost 6 out of their first 7 games with some nail-biting games. But suddenly team made terrific comeback as they won next 5 consecutive games against top teams on Points table. Even though they failed to qualify for playoffs finishing at sixth position once again.
In the IPL 2020 season, he scored 670 runs in all the 14 matches he played. He scored 5 fifties and 1 hundred with the highest score of an unbeaten 132 against RCB and also had an average of 55.83.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IPLT20.com - Indian Premier League Official Website|url=https://www.iplt20.com/teams/kings-xi-punjab/squad/1125/kl-rahul|access-date=8 January 2021|website=www.iplt20.com|language=en}}</ref>
Rahul won the [[Orange Cap]] in IPL 2020 for scoring most runs in IPL 2020 (670 runs). He was also awarded as the Dream 11 Game changer of the season.<ref>{{Cite news|title=IPL 2020: Kings XI Punjab's KL Rahul wins Orange Cap in UAE|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ipl-2020-kings-xi-punjab-s-kl-rahul-wins-orange-cap-in-uae/story-IczbFZoD78soTgsqM4asyJ.html|access-date=8 January 2021|work=hindustantimes.com|language=en}}</ref>
===IPL 2021 season===
KL Rahul was retained as the captain by the [[Punjab Kings]] ahead of the [[2021 Indian Premier League|2021 IPL]] season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Punjab Kings squad for IPL 2021|url=https://www.kxip.in/players|url-status=live|access-date=10 February 2021}}</ref> KL scored 91(50) in their first fixture against [[Rajasthan Royals]].KL scored match winning 60*(52) against [[Mumbai Indians]] and 91*(57) against [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]] and won Man of the Match in both the games.
In the final league game of [[Punjab Kings]], KL scored unbeaten 98*(42) against [[Chennai Super Kings]], helping the team get the target in 13 overs to give them a slight chance to qualify, however, the team ended up at sixth position. He scored 626 runs in [[2021 Indian Premier League|IPL 2021]], finishing as the team's highest scorer in the season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IPLT20.com - Indian Premier League Official Website|url=https://www.iplt20.com/teams/punjab-kings/squad/1125/kl-rahul|access-date=23 October 2021|website=www.iplt20.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Joining Lucknow Super Giants and IPL 2022 season===
Prior to the [[2022 Indian Premier League|2022 season]], Rahul parted ways with the [[Punjab Kings]] and was drafted by [[Lucknow Super Giants]] as their captain for INR 17Cr making him the joint highest paid cricketer in the [[Indian Premier League]] alongside [[Virat Kohli]]. On 16 April 2022, Rahul scored his first century for Lucknow (103* off 60) against the [[Mumbai Indians]] and became the first and only player to score a century in one's 100th IPL match.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/indian-premier-league-2022-1298423/mumbai-indians-vs-lucknow-super-giants-26th-match-1304072/match-report|title=Rahul 103*, Avesh three-for headline dominant Super Giants' fourth win|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=16 April 2022}}</ref> He followed this up with another unbeaten century(103* off 62) against the same opposition eight days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/smart-stats-a-tale-of-two-kl-rahul-hundreds-1312281|title=Smart Stats - A tale of two KL Rahul hundreds|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref>
==Personal life==
In March 2022, KL Rahul indicated that he was dating [[actress]] [[Athiya Shetty]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kl-rahul-relationship-with-suniel-shetty-athiya-shetty-7844667/| title=KL Rahul says girlfriend Athiya’s father Suniel Shetty is ‘borderline obsessed’ with cricket: ‘We do have some conversations, arguments’ |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=31 March 2022 |access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[List of cricketers with centuries in all international formats]]
* [[List of centuries scored on One Day International cricket debut]]
* [[List of international cricket centuries at Lord's]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{cricinfo|id=422108}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052942/http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/India/Lokesh-Rahul/48900.html Lokesh Rahul] at Wisden India
{{India Squad 2018 Asia Cup}}
{{India Squad 2019 Cricket World Cup}}
{{Karnataka cricket squad}}
{{Lucknow Super Giants squad}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rahul, KL}}
[[Category:1992 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:India Test cricketers]]
[[Category:India One Day International cricketers]]
[[Category:India Twenty20 International cricketers]]
[[Category:Karnataka cricketers]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Mangalore]]
[[Category:Sunrisers Hyderabad cricketers]]
[[Category:Royal Challengers Bangalore cricketers]]
[[Category:South Zone cricketers]]
[[Category:Cricketers who made a century on One Day International debut]]
[[Category:Punjab Kings cricketers]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 2019 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Wicket-keepers]]

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