Synopsis
As the IPL 2025 season nears, KL Rahul reflects on the auction experience and expresses his excitement about joining Delhi Capitals. Having captained Lucknow Super Giants, he discusses the challenges and emotions involved in the auction process and looks forward to the upcoming season.Key Takeaways
- KL Rahul excited about joining Delhi Capitals.
- Reflects on the nerve-wracking auction experience.
- Believes Delhi has a well-balanced squad.
- Anticipates playing alongside seasoned and young talents.
- Will face former team Lucknow in the opening match.
New Delhi, March 15 (NationPress) As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season approaches, India's wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul reminisced about last year's auction and expressed his enthusiasm about joining the new franchise, Delhi Capitals.
Rahul, who captained Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the past three seasons, was released by the franchise prior to the auction. He was acquired by Delhi for Rs 14 crore after the team parted ways with their star wicketkeeper-batter and captain Rishabh Pant. However, Rahul will primarily focus on his wicketkeeping duties as Delhi appointed Axar Patel as their new captain.
"The auction was a nerve-wracking experience. Not knowing which team you'd be part of as a player is quite challenging. Over the years, I've witnessed the unpredictability of auctions - there’s no consistent pattern to how they progress. Having served as a captain for the last three seasons, I've been deeply involved in building a team. I recognize the pressure franchises endure in assembling a squad. Yet from a player's vantage point, it’s even more daunting because your career is on the line," Rahul shared during an appearance on JioHotstar's Superstars.
"The auction can significantly influence a player's future or present unforeseen challenges. I was certainly nervous, a bit anxious too. However, I realized this was the right move for my career. There was excitement, albeit it faded quickly as reality sank in. I’m genuinely pleased to be joining Delhi Capitals. Parth Jindal, the team's owner, is a close friend with whom I've shared countless discussions outside cricket. I am aware of his fervor for the sport, and I'm eager to be a part of this team. We possess a robust squad, and I anticipate the upcoming season," he added.
On evaluating the team composition, Rahul believes Delhi boasts a formidable squad with an excellent mix of seasoned players and youthful talent.
"This will be a fresh experience for me - joining a new franchise, potentially my fourth or fifth team in the IPL. I feel both exhilarated and slightly anxious. Each time you enter a new team environment, numerous thoughts flood your mind - the dynamics of the players, the management style of the owners, the fans' reactions - it's a blend of emotions. Observing the squad and how the management has structured the team, it appears to be a well-rounded side with most areas addressed," he stated.
"There’s an impressive blend of experienced players and young talent, and I’m eager to play alongside some exceptionally skilled youngsters and gain insights from them. With players like Mitchell Starc, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, many of whom I've previously played with, we have a strong team. I can't wait for the IPL to kick off," the 32-year-old concluded.
Delhi will commence their IPL 2025 journey against Rahul's former team, Lucknow, in Visakhapatnam on March 23.
