KL Rahul angers Delhi Capitals' management even before IPL 2025 arrival!! Bench Warming Incoming?
Published - 20 Mar 2025, 10:47 AM | Updated - 20 Mar 2025, 10:51 AM
Team India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul reportedly rejected Delhi Capitals' (DC) offer to lead the team in the IPL 2025 season. All-rounder Axar Patel, who was retained by the franchise for ₹16.50 crore ahead of the mega auction, has been appointed as captain for the upcoming season.
The Capitals released their former captain, Rishabh Pant, ahead of IPL 2025. With the tournament set to begin on March 22, the franchise had to make a tough call in appointing a new skipper. KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis were among the top contenders, and DC announced Axar as their new captain.
Delhi Capitals Management Unhappy with KL Rahul's Decision on Captaincy
According to a report from IANS, Rahul declined Delhi Capitals' offer to captain the team for IPL 2025. Following a controversial tenure as Lucknow Super Giants' skipper, which included a public fallout with owner Sanjiv Goenka, Rahul has decided to focus solely on his batting and wicketkeeping.
The 32-year-old was approached by the franchise owners but opted to contribute as a player rather than take on the leadership role.
According to Sr. Deputy News Editor-OpEd @JagranNews, Pranav Sirohi, the Delhi Capitals management is reportedly unhappy with KL Rahul’s decision to reject the captaincy offer.
"Delhi Capitals management is not happy with KL Rahul rejecting the captaincy," Pranav Sirohi wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
केएल राहुल के कप्तानी ठुकराने से दिल्ली कैपिटल्स प्रबंधन खुश नहीं है।
— Pranav Sirohi (@pranavsirohi) March 19, 2025
KL Rahul's Captaincy Experience Across IPL Franchises
Rahul was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore in the 2025 mega auction. The 32-year-old has scored 4,683 runs in 132 IPL matches at an average of 45.46, including 37 fifties and four centuries.
Rahul led the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2020 and 2021. The right-handed batter then captained Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from 2022 to 2024, guiding them to the playoffs in his first season. LSG made the playoffs in the second season, but they finished seventh in 2024.
With 31 wins and 31 losses in 64 matches as captain, Rahul holds the joint-eighth most wins in IPL history. He has also captained the Indian national team across formats.
Delhi Capitals to Begin IPL 2025 Campaign Against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24
KL Rahul has to prove himself in the IPL 2025 season and push for a comeback into India’s T20I squad. The 32-year-old last played a T20I for India in the 2022 World Cup semi-final loss to England in Adelaide.
Delhi Capitals remain one of three IPL franchises that have been part of the league since 2008 yet to win the title, alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings. They have struggled to find a winning formula despite assembling strong squads over the years.
The Capitals will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Monday, March 24 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
