IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants Likely To Party Ways With Captain KL Rahul

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are reportedly set to part ways with their captain, wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul, ahead of the IPL 2025 season.

While Rahul boasts impressive career numbers in the IPL – 4683 runs at an average of 45.47 with 37 fifties and 4 centuries – his strike rate of 134.61 falls short in the modern T20 game, where quick scoring reigns supreme.

Drafted for a hefty Rs. 17 crores before LSG’s debut in 2022, Rahul led the team for three seasons. The franchise enjoyed early success, reaching the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. However, 2024 saw LSG miss the playoffs for the first time.

Although Rahul displayed flashes of brilliance with scores of 616 (2022), 274 (2023, injury-impacted), and 520 (2024) runs, his strike rate remained a concern. It consistently hovered around the 130s mark, a stark contrast to the desired T20 approach.

“Franchise is not very happy with the KL Rahul’s approach and strike rate in T20 cricket and they’re looking for more T20 specialists to add in the side,” source quoted by Khel Now.

This, coupled with his lack of IPL title wins despite captaincy stints with Punjab Kings (2018-2021) and LSG, reportedly led LSG management to seek a change.

“Franchise is not very happy with the KL Rahul’s approach and strike rate in T20 cricket and they’re looking for more T20 specialists to add in the side,” source quoted by Khel Now.

The source suggests LSG might not retain Rahul before the mega auction but could potentially use the Right To Match (RTM) card if needed.

Looking ahead, LSG seems intent on building a team with T20 specialists who prioritize aggressive batting. This shift could see them explore new captaincy options as well.