KL Rahul Chooses National Duty Over Family Time Ahead of England Tests

KL Rahul Prioritizes National Duty Ahead of Paternal Responsibilities for England Tests

NEW DELHI: Faced with the profound joy of fatherhood, KL Rahul made a significant decision, prioritizing national duty over spending precious moments with his newborn.

KL Rahul leaves the field, signaling his dedication to the upcoming England Tests.

"Country first, Hemang bhai. I care for this team," KL Rahul declared to his Delhi Capitals coach Hemang Badani upon his return to training for IPL 2025. The England Test series was his unwavering focus.

A new IPL franchise with Delhi Capitals, the quest for a new batting role, and the daunting challenge in England marked a period of change for KL Rahul. Following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Tests, he was expected to step up as a senior player and lead the team.

Upon joining his Delhi Capitals practice, he immediately began batting drills, showcasing his determination.

Badani shared with TimesofIndia.com, "I really liked the fact that he was someone who said, ‘I want to go to England early. I want to play the side game.’ Forget about the hundred he got — that came later. The intent — that’s what matters. The intent to be there early, to be prepared, to be with the side."

He further emphasized the weight of Rahul's choice: "Let’s not forget, he’s a young father, and I don’t think his child is travelling with him initially. So for him to say, ‘Country over my child’ — that’s a huge call. He could’ve easily said, ‘I'm not playing the side game anyway, I’ll just go straight to the Test match.’ But he didn’t."

KL Rahul's commitment to the Indian team was evident in his early arrival in England. He participated in the unofficial Test against England Lions, making a strong statement with scores of 116 and 51.

Following a period of shifting positions in his Test career, Rahul opened alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. He provided a solid start in the first innings, scoring 42. In the second innings, he solidified his position with a well-crafted 137 off 247 balls, guiding India to 364.

This century held special significance for KL Rahul, marking his return to form after a hiatus. It was his first Test century since 2023 against South Africa at Centurion, a moment of pride and satisfaction.

Having previously toured England for Tests in 2018 and 2021, KL Rahul is now the senior player, a mentor, and a crucial voice within the team.

Badani noted, "KL made a statement I remember ahead of the Test series: ‘I care for this team, and I want to be here.’ He wanted to go to England. I could see the hunger in his eyes and in his words. In the absence of Rohit and Virat, he becomes the senior-most batter — and he has played that role really well."

"He’s played in England before. And in terms of maturity and technique, you can clearly see he’s more focused now. He knows he has to fill the vacuum left behind. The rest of the squad — apart from Karun — are mostly under 30. So he has to guide players like Sai Sudharsan, Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Nitish Kumar Reddy — all of whom are new to this level," he added.

KL Rahul now stands as a vital link between India's celebrated past and its promising future in Test cricket. His role extends beyond scoring runs; it encompasses responsibility and leadership as India enters a new era. He chose commitment over convenience, prioritizing his nation above all else.