KL Rahul: Battling the ‘Test Player’ Tag and Finding Fatherhood

KL Rahul’s journey has been anything but smooth. Once labelled as merely a ‘Test player’, he’s fought hard to break that stereotype in white-ball cricket. Recently, on the JioStar chat show 'SuperStars', he reflected on his past struggles, stating, "I was never rated as a T20 player; I was branded a Test player." It's a sentiment that resonates with many who’ve doubted his white-ball credentials over the years.

Despite the ups and downs, Rahul’s resilience shines through. He’s not just racked up runs, including a record-breaking 152* against Punjab Kings in IPL 2026, but has also climbed to fifth on the all-time IPL run charts. Yet, he knows that trophies are what matter. "I still have some time left. So, I'll keep trying my best and see how many trophies I can win," he said, embodying the spirit of a true competitor.

Fatherhood has also changed the game for him. Rahul welcomed a baby girl last year, and he credits her for bringing a newfound calmness to his life. "You don't truly know happiness until you hold your baby," he shared. This perspective shift seems to have translated into his cricket, adding a layer of joy to his performances. As he continues to chase success, fans will be eagerly watching to see how this next chapter unfolds for him.