In a heartfelt turn of events during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, KL Rahul, one of the marquee signings for Delhi Capitals, missed his debut match on March 25 due to an important personal milestone: the birth of his first child with wife and Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty. The couple's joy was confirmed through a social media announcement by Shetty on the day of the match.
Rahul, who tied the knot with Shetty in January 2023, had earlier shared the news of their pregnancy with fans in November 2024. As fate would have it, his team's exhilarating one-wicket victory against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) coincided with the joyful welcome of their baby girl. This bittersweet circumstance had the cricket community abuzz when the news of his absence became public.
In a post-match celebration filled with playful camaraderie, Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani encouraged his team to congratulate Rahul in a unique way. The players performed a humorous 'cradle the baby' gesture to commemorate the occasion, and DC shared a light-hearted video on social media captioned, "Our family extends, our family celebrates." Axar Patel, captain of Delhi Capitals, led the rally, cheerfully proclaiming, "Aa le chak main aa gaya," emphasizing their excitement.
Soon after the celebration, Rahul took to social media to express his gratitude for the warm wishes, stating, "Lads, this means so much to us, thanks a million." The affection and support displayed by his teammates epitomize the close-knit nature of the Delhi Capitals team, making the event even more significant.
The match itself was a gripping affair, with the Delhi Capitals managing to chase down an impressive target of 210 runs. After finding themselves in deep trouble at 7 for 3 and later at 113 for 6, impact substitute Ashutosh Sharma emerged as the hero of the day, scoring an astonishing 66 not out off 31 balls. His power-hitting capped off a thrilling win for the Capitals, coming just three balls before the match ended.
Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants had posted a total of 209 runs, thanks to noteworthy contributions from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, who scored 72 and 75 runs, respectively. The Delhi bowling attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Starc, kept the run chase within reach, making it possible for DC to triumph against steep odds.
Looking ahead, the Delhi Capitals are set to face off against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 30, a match where Rahul may make his debut for the season. With a long break ahead before this encounter, the team hopes that Rahul will rejoin them in time to bolster their batting lineup.
Rahul's batting history against SRH makes for an encouraging outlook for his return. From 13 innings, he has accumulated 457 runs at an average of 38.08, accompanied by four half-centuries. His influence on the game is further amplified by a strike rate hovering around 121.22. However, it remains to be seen how he will fit into the squad dynamics, especially now that he isn’t officially in a leadership role.
Throughout the recently-concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Rahul had displayed his capability as a clutch player, finishing unbeaten on multiple occasions, including critical knockouts against formidable teams like Australia and New Zealand, where he amassed critical runs. His average in the tournament stood at a remarkable 140.00 with an excellent strike rate of 97.90. This backdrop is likely to raise expectations for his performance when he rejoins DC.
In these moments of personal and professional convergence, KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty's family expansion adds a layer of human connection to the competitive world of cricket. As fans of the game anticipate his return, they also celebrate these cherished milestones in the lives of their favorite players.
