'I Am Some Time Away But...': KL Rahul Opens Up On Retirement Concerns, Life Beyond Cricket

India's veteran wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who is acknowledged as a rock-solid No. 5, one of the world's most dependable batters in the ODI format, has candidly admitted that the possibility of retirement has crossed his mind, but he believes it's "some time away".

In a revealing interview with Kevin Pietersen, Rahul said he won't stretch his career unnecessarily, stating the reality of life beyond 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," Rahul told Pietersen on his YouTube channel.

ALSO READ: ENG vs SL 3rd ODI Predicted XI, Colombo Pitch Report: Where To Watch England vs Sri Lanka Match Live In India?

The 33-year-old from Bengaluru, a mainstay of India's Test and ODI teams, has accumulated 4,053 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 35.8.

He has also stamped his authority in ODIs with 3,360 runs in 94 matches at an average of 50.9, while his T20I career of 72 matches also tells the same story as he scored 2,265 runs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 139.

Rahul said he doesn't regard himself as a superstar or someone indispensable and believes that this will make it easier for him to decide to retire when the time comes.

"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," Rahul said.

"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.

Rahul candidly admitted that coping with a string of injuries was the toughest challenge he's faced, which also put a doubt in his mind about his ability to continue at the top level.

ALSO READ: IND vs ZIM, U19 World Cup: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Continues Purple Patch As He Slams Another Explosive Fifty

"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," he said.

"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," the seasoned batter said.