In his first statement since the announcement of IPL 2025 retentions, KL Rahul has opened up about his departure from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Rahul, who served as the captain of the franchise since its inception in 2022, shared his reasons for moving on. 

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KL Rahul issues first statement on leaving LSG

“I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options, and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom,” Rahul told Star Sports. “The team atmosphere would be lighter. Sometimes, you just need to move away and find something good for yourself.”

After three seasons with LSG, KL Rahul’s exit marks a turning point for both the player and the franchise. Under his leadership, the team made it to the playoffs twice in three seasons but fell short of securing the elusive title. His tenure was not without its challenges, however, as rumors of a tense relationship with team owner Sanjiv Goenka surfaced after a heated discussion between the two following LSG’s playoff exit last season.

The Lucknow Super Giants opted not to retain their star opener and impressive captain, choosing instead to retain core players Nicholas Pooran (INR 21 crore), Mayank Yadav (INR 11 crore), Ravi Bishnoi (INR 11 crore), Mohsin Khan (INR 4 crore), and Ayush Badoni (INR 4 crore). This decision leaves LSG with a purse of INR 69 crore heading into the IPL 2025 auction.

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Meanwhile, KL Rahul’s next move has sparked speculation across the cricketing landscape. There is widespread anticipation that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), currently on the hunt for a new captain after releasing South African icon Faf du Plessis, will make a strong play for Rahul in the upcoming auction. Rahul’s experience and batting prowess could make him an ideal fit for RCB, a franchise that has long sought a leader who can take them to their maiden IPL title and who better to do it than the local boy himself.