Indian cricketer KL Rahul, one of the most stylish batters of the modern era, often draws attention not just for his performances on the field, but also for his intriguing name. Born in 1992 in Karnataka, many assume he was named after the legendary Indian batsman Rahul Dravid—especially since both hail from the same state and even share a calm, composed playing style. However, the real story behind KL Rahul’s name is a surprising one—and a case of mistaken identity.
The Gavaskar Confusion
In a candid conversation on the show Breakfast with Champions with Gaurav Kapur, KL Rahul revealed the story behind his name. According to him, his father, a die-hard cricket fan and admirer of Sunil Gavaskar, had intended to name him after Gavaskar’s son. However, there was a small hiccup in execution: Rahul’s father mistakenly believed Gavaskar’s son’s name was “Rahul,” when in fact it was “Rohan.”
“My dad’s story checks out more than my mother’s. He was a huge Gavaskar fan. He used to listen to him on the radio and all. He heard it as Rahul,” KL Rahul said during the interview.
Despite the mix-up, the name stuck, and Rahul grew up carrying a name he was unknowingly not supposed to have—at least not exactly.
The Shah Rukh Khan Theory
Adding another twist to the tale is a completely different version from his mother. She claimed that he was named after the popular characters played by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the 1990s, many of whom were named “Rahul.” Think Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) or Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)—both of which featured SRK as a character named Rahul. But there’s a timeline issue with that story.
“Her side of the story was she was a huge Shah Rukh Khan fan and his characters in the 90s were Rahul. I told my friend. He said, ‘Bro, Shah Rukh’s first character as Rahul was in 1994. You were born in 1992. It doesn’t make sense.’ Then I googled it and asked my mother, she was like, ‘Something like that.’ But she’s a big Shah Rukh fan,” Rahul laughed.
So, Who Is Rohan Gavaskar?
The man KL Rahul was supposed to be named after—Rohan Gavaskar—is the son of cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar. Rohan, a left-handed batsman who also bowled slow left-arm orthodox spin, represented India in 11 One Day Internationals in 2004. Though his international career was brief, he was a solid performer in domestic cricket.
Rohan scored 151 runs in ODIs with a highest score of 54, and also took one wicket. While he didn’t replicate his father’s greatness at the international level, he still holds the distinction of being part of one of the rare father-son duos to have played for India.
Other Father-Son Duos in Indian Cricket History
Rohan and Sunil Gavaskar aren’t the only ones to represent different generations in Indian cricket. Here are a few more:
- Yuvraj Singh and Yograj Singh
- Vijay Manjrekar and Sanjay Manjrekar
- Vinoo Mankad and Ashok Mankad
- Roger Binny and Stuart Binny
- Lala Amarnath with sons Mohinder and Surinder Amarnath
- Hemant and Hrishikesh Kanitkar
Such legacies show the deep-rooted cricketing traditions in Indian families, passed down from one generation to the next.
Conclusion: A Name That Found Its Own Identity
Regardless of the naming mishap or the Bollywood angle, KL Rahul has made the name his own. From domestic dominance to international success and multiple roles including wicketkeeper, opening batter, and captain, Rahul has established himself as one of India’s premier cricketers.
Whether named after a cricketer who never was, or inspired by a Bollywood character created after his birth, one thing is certain—KL Rahul has lived up to the legacy of the name, and then some.
