Indian cricketer KL Rahul found himself at the center of speculation with a viral social media post about his retirement from international cricket. Notably, the cricketer recently returned to the Indian cricket team for the ODI series against Sri Lanka and posted an Instagram story stating, “I have an important announcement to make.”. 

Following this, a fake screenshot, with a set of words alleging his confirmed retirement started to circulate over the internet.  

The post noted, “After much reflection and consideration, I have decided to announce my retirement from professional cricket. This decision has not been easy, as sport has been a significant part of my life for many years.” 

“I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement from my family, friends, teammates, and fans throughout my career. The experiences and memories I have gained on and off the field are truly invaluable. I am honored to have represented my country and played alongside so many talented individuals.” 

“While I am excited about the new chapter that lies ahead, I will always cherish the time spent in the game. Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey,” the post further noted. 

However, there is no official statement from the cricketer or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding his retirement.  

Netizens Reactions 

As the rumors spread, netizens began analyzing the cricketer’s recent performances and his place in the Indian cricket team, making him announce his retirement at just 32. 

One user on X (formerly Twitter) mentioned, “KL Rahul International Cricket se sanyas nhi lena chahiye.” 

“Why so much hate about KL Rahul…he can make a great comeback,” another commented. 

KL Rahul’s performances  

Additionally, during the ODI series against Sri Lanka, KL Rahul scored a modest 31 runs across two innings. 

While, in IPL 2023, the cricketer made his maiden half-century of the season against Punjab Kings, bringing 50 in 40 balls. 

He also made a significant comeback with a century, scoring 101 of 137 balls in a test match against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town, on January 3 and 4, 2024. 

A Bigger Picture of KL Rahul’s Journey 

His performances, especially after the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he played a pivotal role, were a matter of talk among fans; marking his retirement seemed like a far-fetched conclusion. 

Despite the rumors, KL Rahul’s cricket journey is far from over. He is the first Indian to score a century on his ODI debut, against Zimbabwe in 2016. He is also counted for making the fastest century in T20’s by an Indian. He was the first batsman from Karnataka to score a triple century in the Ranji Trophy. In the 2020 IPL, KL Rahul scored 670 runs, which earned him the Orange Cap for the highest run score. 

KL Rahul on Koffee with Karan Controversy

Back in 2019, cricketers KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya appeared on Koffee with Karan. During the episode, both made inappropriate comments, which were widely criticized by the audience. However, their fallout from the episode was major, as both players were suspended by the BCCI and faced intense backlash and public scrutiny.  

Meanwhile, KL Rahul has talked about how the interview deeply affected him, changing his personality and confidence. He described this as a horrific experience, highlighting its impact on his personal and professional life. 

“Now I don’t (do that) because that (KWK) interview scared me massively. Getting suspended from the team, . I have never been suspended in school; I have never been punished in school. Matlab woh hua hi nahi hai mere saath (All this never happened to me). I don’t know how to handle it. I did mischievous things in schools like chota mota (small things), but nothing to get me expelled from school or my parents have had to come. That (KWK interview and subsequent backlash) was my first (fall), and then you realize how bad it is.” He added.