Former Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul explained his decision to part ways with the franchise ahead of the 2025 IPL auction. The 32-year-old revealed that he felt it was the right time to start afresh and play with more freedom at a new destination.
LSG opted to retain five players for the upcoming three-year cycle: Nicholas Pooran (₹21 crores), Ravi Bishnoi (₹11 crores), Mayank Yadav (₹11 crores), Mohsin Khan (₹4 crores), and Ayush Badoni (₹4 crores).
In a video shared by Star Sports on X, Rahul spoke openly about his departure from LSG, stating, as quoted by India Today:
“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 served as LSG’s captain for their inaugural three IPL seasons, from 2022 to 2024, guiding the team to the playoffs in the first two years. However, they missed out on the playoffs in the most recent season, finishing seventh with seven wins from 14 matches.
“My goal is, of course, to make my way back into the Indian T20 team”- KL Rahul
KL Rahul stated that his goal is to secure a spot in the Indian T20I team through strong performances in the upcoming IPL season. The elegant batter last featured in a T20I for India during the 2022 World Cup in Australia, where the team endured a humiliating 10-wicket defeat to England in the semi-final.
“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 where I can go back and enjoy my cricket and my aim is to obviously get back into the Indian T20 team,” said Rahul.
Rahul had a remarkable debut season with LSG in 2022, amassing 616 runs at an average of over 51 and a strike rate of 135.38. However, in the past two seasons, his average has dipped below 40, despite scoring nearly 800 runs across 23 matches.
Overall, Rahul has an impressive T20I record, with 2,265 runs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 139.12 from 72 matches.
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