IPL 2025: Where I got a little... KL Rahul finally broke his silence on parting ways with Lucknow Super Giants
IPL 2025: KL Rahul was the first captain of Lucknow Super Giants. The franchise made its IPL debut in 2022 and retained Rahul first. But before the mega auction of 2025, Rahul parted ways with Lucknow. He has now broken his silence on this and told the reason
ucknow Super Giants and team captain KL Rahul have parted ways. The team has not retained him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Under Rahul's captaincy, LSG made it to the playoffs twice in their first three years. But, the relationship was strained after the results of the 2024 season and a public reprimand from the owner. Now for the first time after the announcement of retention and release, Rahul has spoken openly about this in his statement.
KL Rahul hinted that he wants a fresh start. In the promo of the Star Sports Unplugged show, Rahul said, 'I wanted to make a fresh start. I wanted to explore my options. I wanted to play in a place where I get some freedom, and where the team atmosphere is light-hearted. Sometimes you need to move on and find something good for yourself.'
Rahul's main goal is to return to the Indian T20 team through the next IPL. He played his last international match in this format in 2022. Rahul further said, 'I have been out of the T20 team for a long time. I know where I stand as a player. What do I need to do to return? So I am looking forward to proving myself in this IPL season. My goal is to return to the Indian T20 team.'
Rahul has always been considered a slow batsman with a poor strike rate. His strike rate has dropped significantly since his brilliant season for Kings XI Punjab in 2018. In three seasons for the Super Giants, Rahul scored 1,410 runs at a strike rate of 130.67 and an average of 41.47. Rahul scored two centuries for the Lucknow team. But, he could not play enough match-winning innings to make Sanjiv Goenka's franchise retain him.
Lucknow has retained Nicholas Pooran (Rs 21 crore), Mayank Agarwal (Rs 11 crore), Ravi Bishnoi (Rs 11 crore), Mohsin Khan (Rs 4 crore) and Ayush Badoni (Rs 4 crore). Many teams are looking for a wicketkeeper-opener and captain. In such a situation, Rahul can be one of the most expensive players in the mega auction to be held on November 24 and 25.
Rishikesh's unbreakable bond with sports made him a journalist. Media debut in 2018. After batting on the pitches of Sportzwiki and Dainik Bhaskar NNR, now he is hitting sixes and fours in NBT Online. Full-time football fan and part-time cricket fan. Special interest in European football. Likes to watch and read about tennis, badminton, hockey as well as kabaddi and athletics. Fond of traveling and eating...
The Indian Express