KL Rahul New Journey with Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 – A New Era for DC
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has brought a significant shift in team dynamics, and one of the biggest moves has been KL Rahul joining Delhi Capitals (DC). The star batter, who previously captained Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Rahul, known for his consistent run-scoring ability, is expected to add stability to Delhi’s batting lineup. However, he has declined the captaincy role at DC, choosing to focus on his batting. Additionally, reports suggest that he might miss the initial matches of IPL 2025 due to personal reasons.
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KL Rahul’s IPL Journey So Far
KL Rahul has been one of the most prolific batters in IPL history. Here’s a look at his journey:
• 2013: Made his IPL debut with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
• 2014-2015: Played for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) but didn’t get many opportunities.
• 2016: Returned to RCB and had a breakthrough season with 397 runs in 14 matches.
• 2018-2021: Moved to Punjab Kings (PBKS) and became their captain. He was one of the league’s most consistent batters, scoring 500+ runs in four consecutive seasons.
• 2022-2024: Signed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹17 crore as their captain. He led the team to two playoff appearances but couldn’t secure an IPL title.
Over the years, Rahul has built a reputation as a dependable top-order batter. He has surpassed 500 runs in six different IPL seasons and holds the record for the joint-second fastest IPL fifty, achieved in just 14 balls.
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Why Did KL Rahul Leave Lucknow Super Giants?
KL Rahul’s exit from Lucknow Super Giants was one of the most discussed topics ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. Despite being the team’s captain and a top scorer, LSG chose not to retain him.
Possible reasons include:
• High salary cap impact: Rahul’s ₹17 crore price tag limited LSG’s ability to build a balanced squad.
• Injury concerns: He missed the second half of IPL 2023 due to injury, which affected LSG’s campaign.
• Leadership questions: While Rahul was a strong batter, LSG’s performance in crucial games under his captaincy raised concerns.
• Team rebuilding strategy: LSG opted for a squad overhaul, focusing on a fresh leadership approach.
Delhi Capitals, recognizing his talent and experience, made a bold move by signing him for ₹14 crore, making him their most expensive player in IPL 2025.
KL Rahul Declines Delhi Capitals Captaincy
After joining Delhi Capitals, many expected KL Rahul to take over the captaincy role. However, recent reports suggest that Rahul has declined the offer, choosing instead to focus on his batting.
Possible reasons for this decision:
• Personal reasons: Rahul recently became a father and might not want additional responsibilities.
• Past captaincy experiences: While he led PBKS and LSG, both teams failed to win an IPL title under him.
• Focus on personal performance: After struggling with strike rate issues in recent seasons, Rahul might want to concentrate purely on his batting.
With Rahul stepping away from the captaincy, Delhi Capitals will have to choose a new leader for IPL 2025. Rishabh Pant, returning from injury, is the frontrunner to take up the role.
KL Rahul to Miss Initial Matches of IPL 2025?
Another major update is that KL Rahul might miss the initial matches of IPL 2025. Recently, he and his wife, Athiya Shetty, welcomed a baby girl, which could delay his participation in the tournament.
Delhi Capitals fans will be eager to see when he joins the squad, as his presence will be crucial for the team’s success.
How Will KL Rahul Fit into Delhi Capitals’ Batting Lineup?
With KL Rahul joining Delhi Capitals, their batting order looks stronger. Here’s how their top-order lineup might look:
1. Prithvi Shaw – Aggressive opener
2. KL Rahul – Anchor & stroke player
3. Rishabh Pant (C & WK) – Explosive left-handed batter
4. David Warner – Experienced middle-order batter
5. Mitchell Marsh – Power-hitting all-rounder
Rahul’s presence will provide stability at the top, complementing Prithvi Shaw’s attacking style. If he regains his best form, DC will have one of the strongest batting units in IPL 2025.
What This Means for Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals have never won an IPL title, and their 2025 squad looks promising. With key players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, David Warner, and Axar Patel, they have the potential to compete for the trophy.
However, Rahul’s:
• Captaincy rejection
• Delayed availability
Could create challenges for DC’s team balance early in the season.
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Final Thoughts
KL Rahul’s move to Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025 is one of the biggest headlines of the season. While fans will miss seeing him lead a side, his batting ability remains a huge asset. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on him to see if he can guide Delhi Capitals to their maiden IPL title.
Only time will tell whether Rahul’s decision to step away from captaincy will help him focus on his batting and bring out his best form.
