NEW DELHI: KL Rahul has all that it takes to be a great batter in international cricket, yet the Indian Test opener is far from achieving anything substantial in his career so far, largely due to his fluctuating form and recurring injuries.
However, Rahul has established himself as a reliable No. 5 batter in the ODI team since the 2023 World Cup, a role that has even kept the explosive Rishabh Pant out of the playing XI. Despite having every shot in his arsenal and the ability to take any bowler to the cleaners, Rahul's T20I career appears all but over, having last played for India in the format in 2022.
Rahul has been candid about his international journey and appears emotionally detached enough from the national jersey to accept that he can walk away without hesitation when the time comes.
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"I don't think it's [retirement] gonna be that difficult. If you're honest with yourself, when it's time, it's time. And there's no point dragging it. Obviously, I'm some time away," Rahul said in an interaction with former England captain Kevin Pietersen on his YouTube channel.
"There have been times when I'm injured and I've been injured so many times and that's the hardest battle that you have to face. It's not the pain that the physio puts you through or the surgeon puts you through. It's the mental battle where your mind just gives up. You know, when it happens so many times, your mind is just like, you've done enough. You've been lucky enough that cricket's given you enough money. You can survive for the next how many ever years."
Rahul said he tries not to consider himself invaluable to the national side's causes, which makes the retirement decision easier in the future.
The Karnataka batter stressed that he's at peace with the idea of retiring from cricket, understands that the game doesn't revolve around him, and now values family and life beyond sport more deeply, especially after becoming a father.
"Just quit. Just enjoy the stuff that you've got and you have your family and just do that. That's the hardest battle. So I try and tell myself that I'm not that important. Cricket in our country will carry on. Cricket in the world will carry on. There are more important things in life and I think this mindset I've always had, but ever since I've had my first baby, it's just like, you know, the way you look at life is completely different. So yeah, that's what I am," he added.
