Indian batter KL Rahul has revealed that the idea of retirement has crossed his mind, offering a rare glimpse into his mindset. However, the 33-year-old has made it clear that he is not planning to step away just yet, but he also admitted that walking away from cricket would not be emotionally overwhelming for him.
KL Rahul, who has been a regular feature in India’s Test and ODI line-ups, spoke candidly about his relationship with the game and his own place within it. In Test cricket, Rahul continues to shoulder the responsibility of opening the innings, while in the ODI format, his role is different, as he bats in the middle order, typically at number five or six.
“I’ve (thought about it). 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,” KL Rahul said in an interaction with Kevin Pietersen
Over the years, Rahul’s career has seen highs and lows, and one of the major hurdles in his career has been persistent injuries.
“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. 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’," he said.
KL Rahul further stressed that there are more important things in life.
“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,” Rahul said.
“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.