Although KL Rahul said that he had considered retiring, the Indian batsman claims that it is still “some time away” and that he won’t put it off. In an interview with former England captain Kevin Pietersen, Rahul stated that retirement would not be a tough choice because there is life outside of cricket.
“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,” the 33-year-old, who is a stalwart of India’s Test and ODI sides, told Pietersen on his YouTube channel.
Rahul has amassed 3,360 runs at an average of 50.9 in 94 ODIs and 4,053 runs at an average of 35.8 in 67 Tests. Additionally, he has amassed 2,265 runs with a strike rate of 139 and an average of 37.75 in 72 Twenty20 Internationals. Rahul stated that he doesn’t think of himself as a superstar or overly significant, which he believes will make the decision to quit in the future simpler.
“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. 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, the way you look at life is completely different,” he added.
The stylish batter also talked about the “hardest battle” of managing multiple ailments, which made him doubt his ability to continue playing at the highest level.
“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.
Rahul will represent Karnataka in a crucial Ranji Trophy game against Punjab at Mohali on Thursday.
