KL Rahul Puts Country First: India Star's England Test Commitment After Newborn's Arrival

A new father's dedication to his nation shines as KL Rahul prioritizes national duty ahead of personal comfort, setting a powerful example before the crucial England Test series.

While many would immerse themselves in the joys of fatherhood, spending precious moments with a newborn, KL Rahul displayed unwavering commitment to his team. His dedication was evident in his first words to Delhi Capitals coach Hemang Badani upon returning to training for IPL 2025: "Country first, Hemang bhai. I care for this team."

This statement underscored his primary focus: the challenging England Test series.

With the retirement of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Tests, Rahul is now seen as a senior player, a leader expected to guide the team. He embraced this responsibility with enthusiasm.

His dedication was evident from the moment he stepped onto the field for Delhi Capitals practice. After a quick warm-up, he immediately focused on batting drills, showcasing his commitment to preparation.

"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," Badani told TimesofIndia.com.

Badani further emphasized Rahul's sacrifice: "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."

Rahul reinforced his commitment by flying to England early and participating in the unofficial Test against England Lions, where he made a significant impact.

Scores of 116 and 51 in that match sent a strong message: he was ready. After a period of shifting roles in his Test career, Rahul was selected to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. He provided a solid start in the first innings, scoring 42. In the second innings, he capitalized on the opportunity, crafting a well-composed 137 off 247 balls, helping India reach a total of 364.

This century held special significance, marking his return to form after a long wait. It was evident in his expression - a blend of pride and satisfaction after overcoming a journey filled with starts and stops. His previous Test century was in 2023, against South Africa at Centurion, highlighting the significance of this achievement after 23 Tests.

Having previously toured England for Tests in 2018 and 2021, Rahul's experience is invaluable. This tour, however, carries added importance as he assumes the role of a senior player, mentor, and a guiding voice in the dressing room.

He has been observed mentoring younger batsmen like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and even his childhood friend Karun Nair, who has returned to the Test side after eight years.

"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," Badani stated.

"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 is now a crucial link between India's celebrated past and its promising future in Test cricket. His presence extends beyond scoring runs; it's about embracing responsibility and establishing a new standard. He chose dedication over ease, marking a significant chapter in his career.