KL Rahul Opens Up on Retirement Thoughts

India batter says the decision is still “some time away” as he reflects on injuries and life beyond cricket

January 27, 2026: India batter KL Rahul has revealed that the thought of retirement has crossed his mind, though he insists the moment is still some distance away. Speaking to former England captain Kevin Pietersen on his YouTube channel, the 33-year-old said stepping away from cricket would not be a difficult decision when the time comes. Emphasising honesty with oneself, Rahul said there is no point in dragging a career and that life beyond cricket offers its own fulfilment.

Rahul, a regular in India’s Test and ODI sides, said he does not see himself as indispensable, a mindset he believes will make retirement easier in the future. Reflecting on fatherhood, he shared that becoming a parent has changed his perspective on life, reinforcing the belief that cricket will continue without any individual. Rahul has scored over 4,000 runs in Tests and more than 3,300 runs in ODIs, while also being a consistent performer in T20Is.

The stylish batter also spoke candidly about the mental toll of repeated injuries, describing it as the toughest challenge of his career. He admitted that recurring setbacks have at times made him question whether he had done enough at the highest level. Despite those struggles, Rahul remains active in domestic cricket and is set to represent Karnataka in a must-win Ranji Trophy match against Punjab in Mohali on Thursday.