India’s wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul and Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty delighted fans by announcing their first pregnancy on November 8, sharing the joyful news through heartfelt posts on social media.
The couple, who wed in January 2023, expressed their excitement and gratitude as they look forward to welcoming their baby in 2025. Their posts prompted a flood of congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities from both cricket and Bollywood, creating a celebratory buzz across social media.
Athiya, daughter of Bollywood star Suniel Shetty, shared a similar post, expressing her excitement and hinting at the wonderful journey ahead. Fans were quick to notice the perfect timing, as the announcement came right before Rahul’s innings for India A against Australia A, part of his preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Although the 32-year-old has not yet made a substantial mark in the series, scoring 10 and 4 in his two innings in the second unofficial Test, his part ‘down under’ might still be left to play.
Rahul, who faced some challenges in his recent performances, including a disappointing outing in the first Test against New Zealand, is hopeful for a comeback in both form and his potential return to the Test squad. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season on the horizon, Rahul is also one of the most anticipated names after his release from the Lucknow Super Giants, where he previously served as captain.
With India’s first squad preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener against Australia, KL Rahul is amongst the probable names being considered to fill the opener’s role in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who is reportedly set to miss at least the first Test in Perth. The impending birth of his first child has brought a joyful boost for Rahul, and fans are eager to see if this chapter will coincide with his resurgence on the field, offering both personal and professional milestones for the 32-year-old batter in the coming months.