Star Indian batter KL Rahul has admitted that he has thought about retirement but said he is still “some time away” from making that decision.

Speaking with former England captain Kevin Pietersen, Rahul said stepping away from cricket would not be very difficult for him, as he does not see himself as too important. The 33-year-old is a regular member of India’s Test and ODI teams. He opens the batting in Tests and plays a key role at number five or six in ODIs.

Regarded as one of the most technically sound batters in world cricket, Rahul struggled with inconsistency in the early part of his career. Since around 2022, however, he has found form again and re-established himself as a key player in both formats.

“I have thought about it. I don’t think retirement will be that difficult,” Rahul said on Pietersen’s YouTube channel. “If you are honest with yourself, you know when the time has come. There is no point dragging it. But I am still some time away.”

Also read -Watch: Will there be Asia Cup in future? Aakash Chopra drops bold statement

Changed priorities after becoming a father

Star Indian batter KL Rahul said his priorities have changed since he and his wife Athiya Shetty welcomed their first child, daughter Evaarah, last year. He explained that becoming a father has completely changed the way he looks at life and cricket.

“Just quit,” Rahul said, while speaking about retirement. “Enjoy what you have and spend time with your family. I tell myself that I am not that important. Cricket in our country will go on. Cricket in the world will go on. There are more important things in life,” he said. Rahul added that after having his first baby, his mindset has changed a lot.

With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma now retired from Test cricket, Rahul has become one of the senior players in a young and changing Indian team.

KL Rahul Opens Up On Injury Struggles, Criticism & Retirement 💭

Check Out This BIG Interview NOW on Our YouTube Channel, GO SUBSCRIBE! 💥 pic.twitter.com/luXLUUl5jr

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) January 26, 2026

Injuries were the hardest battle

Rahul also spoke about injuries, which affected the early part of his career. He said injuries are the hardest mental challenge for any cricketer.

“There have been many times when I got injured, and that is the toughest battle,” he said. “It is not the pain from the physio or the surgeon. It is the mental fight, where your mind starts giving up,” Rahul explained.

He added that after getting injured again and again, the mind starts saying that you have done enough and earned enough from cricket to live comfortably.

The former England batter, Kevin Pietersen, has predicted that India would head into the home T20 World Cup 2026 as they are favored to defend their title, which they won in the previous edition against South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Under Surya Kumar Yadav, India has yet to lose a T20I series since that moment.

Kevin Pietersen talked about how the biggest brands in the game will make sure that it continues to grow in the future, as cricket stands as the second biggest sport in his eyes. He also touched on how the growth of the game will be good for them, as in X player broadcasters walking on the game.

See Also: “No justice from…”- Bangladesh sports advisor accuses this on ICC after boycotting the T20 World Cup 2026

“Big players joining hands together can only be good for the game of cricket. When you have one of the biggest brands in the world and the second biggest sport in the world, it’s fantastic. That means there will be more eyeballs on the game of cricket, and the game can grow globally, which, for us, as ex-players and the broadcasters, sees the game win.” Pietersen spoke in an interview.

Kevin Pietersen predicts India to win T20 World Cup 2026

India have started their last-minute preparation for the ongoing five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, where they claimed the first victory at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, having posted the massive score of 238 for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Watch the video here: 

#WATCH | Mumbai: On India's chances in the T20 World Cup, former England Cricketer Kevin Pietersen says, "They are the favourites. In the shortest form that is T20 cricket in India, they are the favourites..." pic.twitter.com/fkNE6GKvqu

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2026

“In the shortest format, and in India, they are favorites.” Pietersen's address on India’s chances in the World Cup as the home side will begin their campaign against the United States of America at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai

“Dewald Brevis, for South Africa. He again played another incredible innings last night. A couple of days ago, I was calling the game in Johannesburg, where his team, the Pretoria Capitals, led by (Sourav) Ganguly, was struggling. They were 7/5 (against Joburg Super Kings), and Brevis went in and batted for 15 overs, and they got to a winning total of 140 or 150 (143/6).” The former batter revealed the player to watch out for.

The entire cricket community was astonished when the news of Yuvraj Singh's cancer broke out. How he overcame the life-threatening situation and got back into international cricket again is, to date, a testimonial for sports fraternities.

During a recent conversation with former England batter Kevin Pietersen, Yuvraj Singh reveals that he had only three to six months to live. He was on the verge of leaving cricket as doctors explained how dangerous the tumor had grown. Singh had to choose only one between cricket and his life—a do-or-die situation in real life. But he refused to leave Cricket. In disbelief, Pietersen uttered 'Jesus' when the former India batter said that he had only three to six months left.

Singh and his family had to decide what to do to get back to a normal life. They went to the USA for treatment; after that, what happened is inspiring. Yuvraj Singh, who hit 6 sixes in an over against Stuart Broad, made a comeback for team India in international cricket. 

Read More: Shubman Gill refused captaincy ahead of IND vs NZ ODI series

Yuvraj said, "I wanted to go on the Australia tour because I was just starting to find a place in Test cricket. I didn't want to retire, and I've been waiting for this (test debut) for seven years. I spoke to the doctor. He said, 'You only have three to six months to live.' Now, it's up to you to decide whether you want to play cricket or get treatment."

Yuvraj Singh further explained, "The tumor was between my lungs and heart and was compressing the heart's arteries. So the doctors said that if I didn't get chemotherapy, I could have a heart attack. And then they sent me for treatment."

Watch the conversation where Yuvraj Singh said about the life-threatening situation 

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A post shared by Kevin Pietersen | The Switch (@kptheswitch)

He added, "I still remember the doctor's words when I entered the hospital. All my tests were done. He said, 'You will come out as someone who never had cancer.' Those were the first words of encouragement from the doctor."

Yuvraj Singh's first international match after battling cancer was an emotional T20I against New Zealand in Chennai in September 2012, where he scored 34 runs off 26 balls and took a catch as well. 

In the latest video of Kevin Pietersen, India’s opening batter, KL Rahul, turned up to test the illegal bats in a ground, as the video has gone viral. Pietersen showed a bat at the start of the video, which he called illegal, designed to smash the ball harder, further, and, as some say, unfairly around the park. He reckoned that using it was cheating.

Rahul used the bat and nailed a few massive sixes around the ground before the England batter himself took the charge to nail it out of the ground. Rahul and Pietersen love nailing the sixes as they use those illegal bats. It was one of the three batters, which were either wide, or tall, or had a higher spec than normal.

See Also: “Trust me…”- Abhishek Sharma reacts to Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill’s struggle in recent T20Is

“Our only goal is to find out whether these bats are legal or not.” Said Rahul, who cracked a massive six straight down the ground and claimed, “Never hit a ball that far.’

KL Rahul and Kevin Pietersen test illegal bats in viral video

Rahul recently featured in the three-match ODI series against South Africa at home, where here was the leader of the side in the absence of captain, Shubman Gill. Rahul smashed two successive fifties in the first couple of clashes in Ranchi and Raipur and didn’t get the chance to bat in the third game in Vizag as India bagged the series by a 2-1 margin.

Watch the video here: 

We Tested Illegal Cricket Bats! ⚠️

Check Out Our NEW EPIC Challenge On YouTube, GO SUBSCRIBE! 💥 pic.twitter.com/5sXV8YDeut

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) December 15, 2025

Rahul has overall smashed 8125 runs in 226 innings at an average of around 42 in T20s and a strike rate of 136.69 with the help of seven centuries and 68 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 132 runs. In T20Is, the Bengaluru-born has cracked 2265 runs at a strike rate of 139.12 with two centuries and 22 fifties.

Even in the IPL, the veteran has nailed 5222 runs in 136 innings at an average of 46.21 and a strike rate of 136.02 with five centuries and 40 fifties at the best score of unbeaten 132 runs. Last year, he drilled 539 runs at a strike rate of 149.72 for the Delhi Capitals, thanks to one century and three fifties.

SA20 announced a star-studded commentary panel on Tuesday, December 9, for the upcoming fourth edition of the league. The panel features some of the most popular voices in world cricket, including South African legends AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn, England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, and South Africa-born superstar Kevin Pietersen. Morgan, who played in the first season of SA20, is now a regular expert with Sky Sports and will bring a fresh voice to the fast-growing T20 league in the rainbow nation.

Steyn, who was part of Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s support staff, will now move to the commentary box. He will join his former teammate and global fan favourite AB de Villiers, the brand ambassador of the tournament. The South African lineup in the commentary team is also very strong, with JP Duminy, Ashwell Prince, Chris Morris, and Vernon Philander joining the group.

Along with them, several respected global commentators will also be part of the panel. This includes Mark Nicholas, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Kass Naido, Natalie Germanos, Mark Butcher, Nikhil Uttamchandani, Lesego Pooe, Motshidisi Mohono, and Kriya Gangiah, who will all lend their voices behind the mic.

Also Read -Watch: “Don’t make fun of…”- Ravi Shastri attacks Gautam Gambhir on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI future

AB de Villiers and Mark Butcher will again be among the stellar cast of @SuperSportTV commentary and presenting team for #BetwaySA20 Season 4 🎙️

Read more 🔗 https://t.co/C338vW72Gj

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) December 10, 2025

SA20 2025-26: Teams and Key Players Ahead of the Season

The 2025-26 edition of SA20 is set to kick off on Boxing Day, with defending champions MI Cape Town facing Durban’s Super Giants in the opening match at Newlands. MI Cape Town retained most of their core squad, except for Dewald Brevis and Delano Potgieter.

The Pretoria Capitals have rebuilt their team from scratch, signing players like Brevis, Keshav Maharaj, and Lungi Ngidi, while adding Andre Russell, Sherfan Rutherford, and Jordan Cox as part of their overseas lineup.

The Super Giants will have a new captain, Aiden Markram, along with star players Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, Noor Ahmad, and Sunil Narine in their squad. Johannesburg Super Kings strengthened their all-round options with Wiaan Mulder, while Paarl Royals added Sikandar Raza, Delano Potgieter, Kyle Verreynne, and Dan Lawrence to boost their batting depth.

The former England captain, Joe Root, has drawn a bold comparison between modern-day great players and the current red-ball captain of the Blue Brigade, Shubman Gill, following the latter’s successful stint with the bat, where he amassed over 750 runs in five Tests in the United Kingdom against England.

Shubman Gill also led the side incredibly, ending with a 2-2 series margin, including the famous victory during the fifth and final game at the Kennington Oval. Root compares Gill with some of the greatest modern-day players of the game and expects the Punjab-born to reach that level.

See Also: CPL 2025, Match 26: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Antigua and Barbuda Falcons full match highlights and scorecard

“I think Kane is a wonderful player. I think Steve has been incredible, especially against us. Virat Kohli and Rohit are the same. Shubman Gill, I think, is going to be a very good player across the formats. Harry Brook is another whom I am watching from the other end, and he makes my life so much easier with the pressure he puts on the bowlers.” Root expressed during a recent interaction on Stick To Cricket.

Watch: Joe Root compares Harry Brook with Kevin Pietersen’s aura

Harry Brook is another upcoming superstar for the England side, and Root has compared him with Kevin Pietersen’s aura and demeanor. He reckoned that Brook’s aggressive style of batting could pay the opposition team many ways, where they would mostly look to stop the runs rather than getting him out.

"Gill will be very, very good" 🌟

Joe Root shares which modern day players have impressed him 🏏 pic.twitter.com/lW9GP98Yhc

— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket) September 10, 2025

“Harry is pretty similar to KP. When KP used to be at the crease, his aura, demeanor, and presence were intimidating, whereas with Harry, you just don’t know where he could hit the ball. As a bowler, you would think that I would bowl top of the off-stump, and it actually could either go over fine-leg or go over mid-off for a six.”

“You are batting at the other end, thinking it’s Christmas. So many people are trying to control the rate, and in many ways, you try to stop the runs, and when people do that to you mentally as a batting group, it makes life so easier. Then there is no threat from the opposition.”

Chris Gayle, the batting giant of West Indies cricket known for towering sixes and a destructive batting style, recently weighed in on the sport's most iconic cricket shots and the players who executed them. In a YouTube interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Gayle articulated which cricketers, to him, have defined some strokes in cricketing history. The players that he selected gave the fans a nostalgic and memorable glimpse at batting artistry.

For the straight drive, Gayle's first selection was the great Sachin Tendulkar, who is undoubtedly one of the greatest batters of all time. Tendulkar's straight drive has long been considered an example of technical perfection and grace, generally played with the full face of the bat.

From cover drives to switch hits: Gayle’s picks

Gayle selected modern-day master Virat Kohli for his cover drive selection. Kohli's cover drive is touted for his elegance, balance, and timing through the off-side and is currently celebrated as one of the best cover drives in the modern era, and compared to the greats of the past.

ALSO SEE: Asia Cup 2025: 'Taking really good care...'- Surya Kumar Yadav tries to ease speculations around Sanju Samson

As for the pull shot, Gayle believes that title belongs to India's current captain, Rohit Sharma. At his best, Rohit has made a name for himself with short-pitched bowling. He can pick the length, and he hits the shot so effortlessly that it has become his shot.

For the cut shot, Gayle will give it to the Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya, who changed one-day cricket at the top of the order. Jayasuriya could cut in between any of the gaps, especially the point region, with ferocious cuts; he was one of the most dangerous openers to ever play the game. 

Gayle believed the reverse sweep belongs to Andy Flower, who was one of the best players to play the shot. Flower used the reverse sweep not just as a run-scoring option, but also to negate spin, which he was doing in the 1990s and early 2000s, with the switch hit. Gayle gave it to former England player Kevin Pietersen, who made the shot famous during his prime years. The switch hit is one of the most audacious shots in cricket.

Gayle's selections demonstrate how these players excelled individually and transformed batting technique in ways that inspired a generation of cricketers. By recognising these masters of single shots, Gayle recognised both the classical and innovative elements of the game and the continually evolving artistic nature of batting in cricket.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has played a major role in shaping the success of players and franchises over its 18-year journey. Known for unearthing fresh talent each season, the tournament has become a global spectacle, growing in all dimensions from on-field action to commentary and broadcasting. With the rise of social media, its glam quotient has only increased. However, controversies often make their way into the IPL. Former cricketer Ambati Rayudu recently revealed one such incident involving Kevin Pietersen after the IPL 2024 final.

Speaking on a podcast, Rayudu recalled how Pietersen, during a live post-match discussion, referred to him as a “Joker” on-air. This remark soon became a hot topic of conversation, given the stature of both players and the public nature of the incident. Rayudu, however, chose to clarify the matter during the podcast, explaining the context of the event while also highlighting how such moments can easily be blown out of proportion when aired live on television.

See Also: Watch: Virat Kohli’s cover drives capturing 17 years legacy

Despite the controversy, former India player didn’t shy away from giving a witty response to Pietersen. He expressed his delight over Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally winning their maiden IPL title after 18 years, cheekily reminding Pietersen of his long stint with the franchise without success. He admitted that he could have said much more in the moment but preferred restraint. Eventually, Pietersen realised his mistake, accepted responsibility, and offered an apology, putting an end to the heated episode in a respectful manner.

IPL had several controveries in the past

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has never been short of controversies since its inception with eight teams, later expanding due to its massive success. One of the most talked-about moments came during Ravichandran Ashwin’s infamous “Mankading” incident in a clash between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab. Jos Buttler, then batting in top form, stepped out of the non-striker’s crease, only for Ashwin to whip off the bails without hesitation. The dismissal sparked outrage and divided opinions, becoming one of the most debated moments in IPL history.

Another high-profile controversy occurred in IPL 2013, when Yusuf Pathan became the first player to be ruled out for “obstructing the field.” During a Kolkata Knight Riders versus Pune Warriors India clash, Pathan struck the ball straight to a fielder and ran but instinctively blocked the ball with his hand. The opposition appealed, and after video review, the third umpire declared him out. This decision triggered debates on whether his action was deliberate or instinctive. With social media amplifying reactions, such incidents, including Rayudu’s spat with Kevin Pietersen, continue fueling discussions far beyond the cricket field.

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen are at loggerheads over whether Test cricket has become easier in the modern era. The debate began after Kevin Pietersen claimed that batting in Test cricket was far more difficult 20–25 years ago than it is now. According to him, the level of bowling during his time made scoring runs significantly harder.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the 45-year-old backed his argument by listing 22 legendary bowlers from that era and challenged fans to name 10 current bowlers who could match their caliber. “Waqar [Younis], Shoaib [Akhtar], [Wasim] Akram, [Saqlain] Mushtaq, [Anil] Kumble, [Javagal] Srinath, Harbhajan [Singh], [Allan] Donald, [Shaun] Pollock, [Lance] Klusener, [Darren] Gough, [Glenn] McGrath, [Brett] Lee, [Shane] Warne, [Jason] Gillespie, [Shane] Bond, [Daniel] Vettori, [Chris] Cairns, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Murali[tharan], Curtley [Ambrose], Courtney [Walsh] and the list could go on and on… I’ve named 22 above. Please name me 10 modern-day bowlers that can compare to the names above.” Pietersen wrote.

However, Michael Vaughan hit back strongly and dismissed Pietersen’s comments during a live show on Sony Sports Network. Vaughan said, “I think he’s talking nonsense.” He argued that Test cricket remains extremely challenging and that the quality of bowling in the current era is on par with any previous generation. Vaughan highlighted today’s elite bowling units, particularly praising India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, along with Australia’s renowned trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.

Vaughan Defends Modern Bowlers, Calls Test Cricket Competitive

Vaughan didn’t stop there. He also lauded South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen and New Zealand’s Tim Southee and Trent Boult. “You look at the Indian seamers now; they are as good as they ever were. You look at the Australian attack; that trio that Australia had is as good as they have had. You go to South Africa, Rabada and Jansen. You go to New Zealand, Boult, Southee,” he said.

See Also: WATCH: AB de Villiers drops hint about IPL comeback for RCB after WCL title win

Vaughan stressed that Test cricket has remained exciting and competitive in recent years. He also noted that modern batters play with more aggression and bravery. “I’ve loved the last few years of Test match cricket because it has been competitive. I don’t think it has been any easier than any other era. You still have to score runs. Irrespective of the bowling you are facing, you still have to go get the runs.” He concluded, “Don’t take anything away from the current players. Look at the way they have batted. They have batted with a lot more aggression than earlier times, maybe not during Kevin Pietersen’s time.”

Since Ben Stokes and his entire England side went hard at Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, the two Indian batters, for not accepting their proposal of calling the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester off, every lens has viewed the situation in various ways, as comments have come on which camp they belong to. 

Many reckoned that Stokes, the Durham player and the captain, was right to shake hands, given his bowlers were dead on their feet. His action came just after a flashing drive from Washington Sundar smashed Ben Duckett on his arms while fielding at the silly point. Kevin Pietersen, the former batter, has come to the defense of Stokes on his social media account.

See Also: [WATCH] 'Double Standard...'- Ravichandran Ashwin reacts to India not accepting England's proposal to draw ENG vs IND 4th Test

‘2 days fielding and no result on the cards - you WANT to get off the field! You cannot have a pop at Ben Stokes for his frustration. Very easy to have a pop at him when you’re sitting in your lounge watching. You’re NOT in the battle. Leave the men in the ring to be emotional.’ Pietersen wrote on his ‘X’ handled (formerly known as Twitter).

Kevin Pietersen defends Ben Stokes' behavior after India refuses to accept draw proposal in ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester

Stokes, later, coming into the press conference, admitted that he was not ready to use any of his frontline pacers in the game, given that they will turn up again for the fifth and final contest at the Kennington Oval in South London in three days. That was why Harry Brook was introduced into the attack.

2 days fielding and no result on the cards - you WANT to get off the field!
You cannot have a pop at Ben Stokes for his frustration.
Very easy to have a pop at him when you’re sitting in your lounge watching.
You’re NOT in the battle. Leave the men in the ring to be emotional.

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) July 28, 2025

Jadeja smashed a couple of sixes in that over and celebrated his second Test century in England after his maiden hundred at Edgbaston in 2022, while Sundar, who was strangled on 95 and 86 in the past, finally notched up his maiden red-ball century. It’s a huge boost for the tourists going into South London.

The series now stands at 2-1 with the home side enjoying the lead. But India will still have a chance to walk away with the 2-2 margin if they display another special show at the Oval.