It looks like the Lucknow Super Giants aren’t keen on retaining skipper KL Rahul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. With just a week left for franchises to submit their retention lists, reports of LSG deciding to part ways with the keeper-batter are doing the rounds once again. If released, Rahul will go under the hammer in the auction which is set to take in late November.
KL Rahul to leave LSG?
As per a report, LSG have decided that KL Rahul will not be retained and have instead opted to approach Nicholas Pooran for captaincy. Despite having a stellar run with the bat in IPL 2024 where he went on to amass 520 runs, the Indian star failed as a captain, with LSG finishing seventh on the points table. To make matters worse, he was given a lecture by LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka on the sidelines of an IPL game after the side suffered a thrashing at the hands of SRH.
KL Rahul had even met Goenka in Kolkata in the recent past, prompting speculations over his retention. However, the LSG owner had offered no hint whatsoever of retaining the skipper at that time, saying that “there was still time to decide on the retentions”.
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KL Rahul to RCB in IPL 2025?
KL Rahul parting ways with LSG could come as good news for RCB who are in desperate need for a star Indian batter. With the Karnataka government reportedly pressurizing the franchise to recruit more local talent for IPL 2025, the keeper-batter – who is the “son of the soil” – is the perfect answer to their findings. Rahul has already been a part of RCB in the past before he went on to join PBKS.
Rahul’s ability – both with bat and as captain – make him a perfect pick for RCB.
The franchise is not expected to retain present skipper Faf du Plessis, given the slump in his form and will need a new captain to take over the reins. It is also highly unlikely that the team would hand over captaincy back to Virat Kohli either. Not to forget, RCB does not have a strong Indian batter apart from Virat Kohli and this is where KL Rahul would add great advantage to their team in their quest for an elusive IPL title.