“I would never go….” KL Rahul Focuses on Team Environment Over Captaincy in IPL 2025 Auction

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaches, former Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul emerges as one of the few Indian captaincy candidates available for franchises. Rahul, who led LSG to the playoffs in two out of three editions, is now looking for more than just a leadership role; he seeks an environment that fosters freedom and balance.

Captaincy Not a Dealbreaker for Rahul 

In a recent interview with Star Sports, Rahul addressed the significance of captaincy in his career. While he welcomes the idea of leading another franchise, he clarified that it is not a dealbreaker for him. "I would never go and ask someone for it," he stated. He believes that if franchises recognize his leadership skills and value his approach to the game, he would be happy to take on the role.

"But it's not something that is a make or break for me," he added. "I just want to be part of a team that has a good environment where you feel loved, cared for, and respected."

KL Rahul Seeking Freedom and Balance in IPL 2025

Rahul expressed his desire to play in a "much more balanced" environment as he enters the auction. Released by LSG after their seventh-place finish in IPL 2024, he is eager to explore new options where he can play with freedom. "I wanted to start fresh... I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom," he explained.

He noted the high-pressure nature of IPL cricket, citing successful teams like Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings as examples of balanced environments. "When they win or lose, they seem really balanced and the dressing room is really calm," he remarked. This atmosphere is crucial for players to perform at their best.

Reflecting on IPL 2024

Looking back at IPL 2024, Rahul acknowledged that external pressures may have contributed to LSG's struggles. The team started with a loss but managed to win three consecutive matches before faltering mid-season. Despite topping LSG's charts with 520 runs at a strike rate of 136.12, Rahul felt that added pressure affected their performance when it mattered most.

"There's always ups and downs," he said. "You need to be able to hold your nerves... But somehow this season, it felt like there was a lot more pressure."

Will KL Rahul Join RCB for IPL 2025? 

As speculation swirls about his potential return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Rahul remains pragmatic about his future. RCB is reportedly interested in acquiring him during the auction, especially after Dinesh Karthik's retirement left a gap for a wicketkeeper-batter.

"I most enjoyed playing at RCB. It's also home," Rahul shared. He has fond memories of playing at Chinnaswamy Stadium and expressed excitement about the possibility of returning: "It would be nice to go back there and get an opportunity again."

When asked directly if he would love to return to RCB, he replied enthusiastically, "Yeah, of course! It’s kind of home... The people there know me as a local Kannada boy.", he concluded. 

Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram