KL Rahul has been one of India’s most stylish batters since his debut in 2014, balancing elegant stroke‑play with solid wicket‑keeping. But as of June 2025, whispers about his future—possibly even retirement—have surfaced, alongside public interest due to his marriage with Bollywood actor Athiya Shetty and the arrival of their daughter. Let’s separate fact from fiction.
📸 Life Updates: Fatherhood & Family Moments
On March 24, 2025, KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Evaarah (hindustantimes.com, m.economictimes.com). This milestone brought a wave of affectionate public moments:
- Athiya shared a charming Father’s Day post on June 15, 2025, expressing missing Rahul, who was away with the Indian team in England (hindustantimes.com).
- On June 18, 2025, she was spotted in Leeds, waving at a large billboard featuring Rahul—a warm gesture of focus and support (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).
- After his century at Headingley in late June 2025, Athiya posted, “This one is special,” showcasing deep emotional support (hindustantimes.com).
Clearly, they’re navigating a busy cricket and parenting life, rather than stepping away from the game.
🔥 Fake Retirement Rumors Debunked
Rumours of Rahul’s retirement first erupted in August 2024, when a viral social media post falsely claimed he was hanging his boots (sports.ndtv.com). The rumor stemmed from a misleading Instagram teaser and confusion around his cryptic announcement. But the truth was quickly revealed: it was a fundraiser and auction, jointly managed by Rahul and Athiya, raising Rs 1.93 crore for charity—not a farewell (news.abplive.com).
Since then, Rahul has continued to play actively—in the ICC Champions Trophy February–March 2025, IPL 2025 with Delhi Capitals, and India’s Test series in England.
🏏 Career Snapshot & On‑field Comeback
According to his ESPNcricinfo profile updated June 2025, Rahul has played:
- 58 Tests (8 centuries; last Test in January 2025)
- 85 ODIs (7 centuries; last ODI in March 2025)
- 72 T20Is (2 centuries; last T20I in November 2022) (en.wikipedia.org).
His ability to contribute as a keeper, opener, and middle‑order batter keeps him firmly in Team India’s plans. His recent century at Headingley reaffirmed that.
🏆 IPL 2025 & Franchise Life
KL Rahul continues to make headlines in IPL 2025—this time with Delhi Capitals:
- In April 2025, he smashed an unbeaten 93 off 53 balls against RCB; Athiya proudly shared the moment on Instagram (ndtv.com).
- In March 2025, Capitals celebrated his daughter’s birth during a match, with Axar Patel and teammates performing a “baby‑swaying” tribute (indiatoday.in).
All of this shows a cricketer at the peak of form, not stepping back.
❤️ Balancing Parenthood and Play
With Athiya stepping away from films—as reported May 22, 2025, to focus on motherhood (hindustantimes.com)—the spotlight is on balancing family and cricket.
Rahul took paternity leave during IPL 2025, but soon returned to training, showing commitment to club and country alike.
🎙️ What They’ve Said
- Athiya’s Instagram wave at the Leeds billboard and heartfelt captions speak volumes about her role as support, not signal of a career shift (indiatoday.in).
- Rahul himself squashed all talk of retirement back in August 2024, confirming the announcement was charitable (sports.ndtv.com).
✅ Bottom Line: Future Bright, Retirement Not Yet
Despite occasional speculation, there is no credible evidence that KL Rahul plans to retire. He remains an active cricketer—playing Tests, ODIs, a stellar IPL, and fully engaged in national duty.
As a new dad with a thriving career both on and off the field, KL Rahul appears determined to juggle family and cricket at full tilt. Instead of retirement, brace for:
- More Test centuries in the England tour, July 2025
- Crucial roles in upcoming India vs West Indies series
- Continued IPL brilliance
- Charity work with Athiya Shetty
Rumours will always swirl, but given his age (31), love for the game, and ongoing fitness and form, KL Rahul is here to stay—for now. Let’s focus on what really matters: watching him bat, build family memories, and continue his cricketing legacy.
