If you’re asking, “which famous cricketer was KL Rahul named after?”-the trail leads to Sunil Gavaskar. Rahul’s father adored the India legend and meant to name his son after Gavaskar’s boy, Rohan. In a sweet slip of memory, Rohan became Rahul, and that’s how Kannur Lokesh Rahul got the name we all chant today.
Years later, the boy with the borrowed name grew into a batter with his own signature-silky drives, still head, big-match calm. And if you ever go hunting for KL rahul stats, you’ll see that story written in numbers: runs across formats, hundreds at home and away, tidy wicketkeeping when the team needs it, and those IPL chases where he seems to breathe slower than the rest of us. The origin was a father’s fandom; the legacy is Rahul’s alone.
The backstory: A father’s fandom meets a filing form
KL Rahul’s father, K.N. Lokesh-an academic and a huge Sunil Gavaskar fan-wanted to pay tribute to his cricketing hero. When Rahul was born on 18 April 1992, Lokesh believed Gavaskar’s son was named Rahul and registered the name accordingly. Later, of course, the family (and all of India) chuckled at the truth: Gavaskar’s son is Rohan.
Rohan Gavaskar: The actual namesake behind the intention
Rohan Sunil Gavaskar (born 20 February 1976) is a former India international who played 11 ODIs. A left-handed middle-order batter and occasional left-arm spinner, he shone for Bengal in domestic cricket and also featured in franchise leagues. While he didn’t scale his father’s Himalayan heights, he remains a respected figure in Indian cricket circles.
Mum’s Bollywood angle-and why the timeline didn’t add up
For years, Rahul’s mother Rajeshwari joked that he was named after Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic ‘Rahul’ characters from the 1990s. Rahul later clarified that the timeline didn’t quite match his 1992 birth-those ‘Rahul’ roles became famous soon after. Fun story, but the cricket connection checks out more.
Rahul confirms it himself
On Breakfast with Champions, KL Rahul shared that his dad’s Gavaskar-inspired version is the true origin: he grew up hearing Gavaskar on the radio, loved his batting, and genuinely thought the son’s name was Rahul. A simple, heartfelt error-now part of cricketing lore.
From a mix-up to a modern Indian great
Fate has a wicked sense of humour. The boy mistakenly named Rahul went on to become KL Rahul, an all-format India star, IPL captain, and one of the most technically polished batters of his generation. The name has become synonymous with elegance, adaptability, and match-winning consistency.
Timeline at a glance
● 18 Apr 1992: KL Rahul is born; father registers “Rahul” (thinking of Gavaskar’s son).
● 1990s: SRK’s ‘Rahul’ roles become pop culture staples-fuel for the family’s alternate story.
● Later years: Rahul publicly confirms the Gavaskar connection as the real origin.
Key takeaways
● Origin: A Sunil Gavaskar fan (Rahul’s dad) intended to honour Rohan Gavaskar.
● Twist: He remembered the name as Rahul, not Rohan-and the rest is history.
● Today: The mistaken name is now tied to one of India’s premier batters, KL Rahul.
FAQs (for exactly what fans search)
1) Which famous cricketer was kl rahul named after?
KL Rahul’s name traces back to Sunil Gavaskar’s family-his father meant to name him after Rohan Gavaskar, but registered “Rahul” by mistake.
2) which famous cricketer was kl rahul named after
Same answer, different phrasing: the inspiration was Sunil Gavaskar (via his son Rohan), with “Rahul” becoming the official name because of a memory mix-up.
3) which famous cricketer was named after kl rahul
None. This phrase is often searched, but it’s reversed. KL Rahul wasn’t someone’s namesake; rather, his own name was inspired by Rohan Gavaskar due to his father’s Gavaskar fandom.
This piece has been curated by the Jeetwin Sports Editorial Team. For the latest sports updates, sharp match analysis, player stories, and stats-led features, follow Jeetwin Sports on website and official social channels. Stay plugged in—new insights drop around every big game.