KL Rahul Opens Up About Balancing Fatherhood and Cricket Commitments. KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty welcomed their baby daughter in March this year. Since then, the star batter has been navigating the challenging balance between his new role as a father and the relentless demands of international cricket.
Speaking after the recently concluded Test series against England, KL Rahul opened up about the emotional strain of being away from his newborn daughter. He revealed that one of the toughest decisions he’s ever made was leaving his family just days after her birth to fulfill his Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments.
Despite the emotional toll, KL Rahul remained dedicated to his game. He represented Delhi Capitals in the IPL, played domestic cricket, and toured the UK with India A—all in preparation for the England Test series.
That unwavering commitment paid off. KL Rahul emerged as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the series, amassing 532 runs across five matches at an impressive average of 53.20. His performance included two centuries and two half-centuries, proving once again his value to the Indian side—even while juggling one of the most important roles of his life off the field.
“A Really Tough Call” – KL Rahul Opens Up on Choosing Cricket Over Time with Newborn Daughter
KL Rahul has described the emotional turmoil he faced in balancing professional commitments and personal joy after the birth of his daughter with wife Athiya Shetty, daughter of Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty. The couple welcomed their baby girl just days before the start of IPL 2025, leaving Rahul with only a brief window to be with his family before rejoining Delhi Capitals for the tournament.
Speaking on Sony Sports, Rahul revealed the emotional weight of his decision:
“Two days after she was born, I had to go play an IPL game. During the tournament, I tried to use every short break to fly back home and spend even a couple of days with her. But it was incredibly hard.”
The challenge didn’t end with the IPL. After the league wrapped up, Rahul had to make another difficult call — joining the India A squad, which meant an extended time away from his newborn.
“I knew that by coming here [for the India A tour], I wouldn’t get to see her for another two months. That made it even more painful. It was a really, really hard decision.”
KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty tied the knot on January 23, 2023, and their daughter is their first child.
Reflecting on the past few months, Rahul admitted it had been a phase full of tough decisions and emotional trials.“There were some really hard choices I’ve had to make recently, but I believed they were the right ones professionally. Thankfully, my family has been extremely supportive throughout.”
The Indian cricketer also shared how he tries to stay connected with his daughter despite the distance.
“My wife was incredibly supportive, which gave me the strength to come here. I haven’t seen my daughter in person since, but I keep checking her pictures, and I’m always glued to the baby camera, making sure I don’t miss any part of her growth. It’s really tough being away and missing each day.”
In his heartfelt confession, Rahul offered a glimpse into the sacrifices elite athletes often make—balancing dreams, duty, and family.
