KL Rahul was the former captain of IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) before leaving the franchise ahead of next season’s auction. Rahul claims that his needed for freedom and a chance to explore other options informed his decision to leave LSG before IPL 2025:
“I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom, where the team atmosphere could be something lighter. Sometimes you need to move away and find something good for yourself,” Rahul said during an interview after his exit.
Rahul Says Return to T20I a Major Reason Behind His LSG Exit
KL Rahul has been shut out of the T20 international (T20I) team for some time. He believes a different environment is necessary to break into India’s twenty-over team once more:
“I have been out of the T20 team for a while and I know where I stand as a player and I know what I need to do to get back, so I’ll look forward to this IPL season to give me that platform,” he said.
Rahul Hopes to be “Loved, Cared For, and Respected” after LSG Exit
Rahul targets love, care, and respect from his next franchise after leaving LSG under controversial circumstances. A public argument with the LSG CEO stirred speculation over Rahul’s future at the franchise. He has now come out to make subtle hints that LSG wasn’t the best environment for his career:
“But it’s not something that is a make or break for me. I just want to be part of a team that has a good environment. You feel loved, cared for and respected in that environment and everyone on that franchise has one single goal to win the idea. there then that’s a perfect fit.”
Rahul Hints at RCB Preference Ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction
KL believes RCB could be an exciting location to continue his IPL journey from 2025. He once played at the franchise and will relish the opportunity to feature alongside Virat Kohli and co. once again:
“Yeah, of course like I said, it’s kind of home and the people there know me as a local Kannada boy, and it would be nice to go back there and get an opportunity again. But yeah, it’s an auction year so you can go anywhere.”
KL Rahul Set to Open for India If Rohit Sharma Misses First Border-Gavaskar Test
Gautam Gambhir is India’s current Test coach and believes KL Rahul is a top candidate to step in for skipper Rohit Sharma if the latter fails to partake in the first match vs Australia. Reports currently suggest India’s Test skipper, Sharma, could be out of the first squad due to personal reasons.
Gambhir spoke at a press conference before the team’s flight to Australia, confirming other options are available if Sharma steps aside:
“At the moment, there is no confirmation [Sharma availability] but we will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully he’s going to be available, but everything we’re going to get to know at the start of the series,” Gambhir said.
Rahul or Easwaran for potentially-absent Sharma
The head coach believes Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul can be ideal replacements if Sharma
“Obviously there is Easwaran and there is KL there. So, we will take a call closer to the first Test match if Rohit is not available,” the head coach added.
“There are options there, it’s not that there are no options there. There are quite a few options in the squad. Once it gets closer to the first Test match, we’ll plan and play the best playing XI that’s going to do the job for us.”
Versatile Rahul top candidate to replace Sharma
India’s head coach highlighted the ability of KL Rahul to bat in different positions as an advantage he wouldn’t ignore:
“There are times when you go with the experienced players as well. And that is the quality of the man. That he can bat at the top of the order, he can bat at No. 3 and he can actually bat at No. 6 as well,” Gambhir added.
“Imagine how many countries have players like KL who can open the batting and can bat at No. 6 as well? So I feel if need be, he can do the job for us, especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test match.”
