KL Rahul IPL

KL Rahul IPL [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

KL Rahul is one of the most highly rated technically sound batters in Indian cricket. Apart from being a mainstay in the national team, Rahul has left a meaningful impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. 

KL Rahul played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since his IPL debut in 2013. His initial seasons saw him playing a limited role, but he began to show flashes of his potential as he matured. Rahul played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 and 2015 and was thrown more opportunities to bat higher up the order, though he could not make a big mark regularly.

Rahul played for RCB in 2016, and had a breakthrough season as he scored 397 runs from 14 games. He moved to Punjab Kings in 2018, and took on the mantle of captain in 2020, winning Orange Cap in the same year.

However, Punjab Kings didn't make an impact as a team despite all his individual brilliance. Later, the top order batter was signed by the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for INR 17 crores in 2022, making him one of the costliest players in IPL history. He was appointed as the captain of the team and continued his stellar form. 

Under his captaincy, LSG reached the playoffs in their debut season. However, KL Rahul was released in the 2025 IPL mega auction where Delhi Capitals secured his services for INR 14 crore salary. 

KL Rahul IPL Team 

Current IPL team of KL Rahul

KL Rahul was roped in by Delhi Capitals for the IPL 2025 season. He spent three years at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) but surprisingly entered the IPL 2025 season mega auction. Given his experience in leadership and as a successful top-order batter, Rahul attracted many bidders, including KKR and RCB. But Delhi outbid every other team and signed Rahul for an eye-watering salary of INR 14 crores.

Teams KL Rahul Has Played For 

KL Rahul's IPL career has been interesting. After playing his debut season in 2013 with RCB, he played with SRH, PBKS, and LSG in the last decade.

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KL Rahul Stats

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KL Rahul IPL Price 2025

KL Rahul IPL Price 2025 [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X.com]

KL Rahul's IPL auction price

KL Rahul was snapped up by Delhi Capitals for INR 14 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah. His auction value was well below the anticipated INR 20 crore mark, making this acquisition a bargain buy for the Capitals. Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were among the first to bid for Rahul. While RCB hinted at bringing their hometown hero back, they withdrew at INR 11 crore. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) entered the fray but eventually bowed out at INR 10.5 crore, leaving Delhi Capitals to seal the deal at INR 14 crore.

KL Rahul's worth in IPL auction over the years

KL Rahul joined RCB in 2013 as an uncapped rookie with an INR 10 Lakh salary. His salary jumped to INR 1 crore with SRH in the following year. After showing promise in the initial years of his international career, Rahul was sold for INR 11 crore in the 2018 IPL auction. After four years, he was picked by LSG for INR 17 crores in the IPL 2022 season draft. In IPL 2025, he witnessed a steep decline in his market value as the Capitals bought him for INR 14 crore.

Factors influencing KL Rahul's market value

KL Rahul has, arguably, been the most consistent hitter in the history of IPL, with scores of more than 4,500 runs nearly at an average of 46 and a strike rate of close to 135. Not just can he ruin opposition in powerplay, he can also hold his end if things go badly. Teams often consider recent form in domestic and international cricket, and Rahul's performances across formats boost his value. 

Apart from being a settled international batter, Rahul has captained several IPL franchises, which includes Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings) and Lucknow Super Giants. Furthermore, Rahul's skills as a wicketkeeper-batter give franchises the opportunity to balance their playing XI and add flexibility to team composition. He also enjoys a huge fan base, which makes him a valuable marketing asset for franchises.

KL Rahul IPL Captaincy Record

KL Rahul has captained in 64 IPL games combined with Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. He won 31 and lost as many games, making it a 50-50 win-loss record.

Leadership role in IPL

KL Rahul is a smart cricketer with strong tactical instincts. In his first year as captain, LSG made it to the playoffs and missed on the finals by the barest of margins. Again in IPL 2023, LSG qualified into successive playoffs but ended up third on the table. This back-to-back success story states how Rahul is capable of leading him to glory. 

KL Rahul IPL records

KL Rahul IPL Records [Source: @IPL/X.com

Most runs by KL Rahul in an IPL season

In 2020, KL Rahul unleashed his inner beat to amass 670 runs in 14 games with an average of 55.83 and a strike rate of 129.34. His highest score that season was 132*, which was against his former team, RCB.

KL Rahul's IPL Centuries and fifties

KL Rahul's impact as an opener

While KL Rahul started his career as a middle-order batter, he always enjoyed opening. As an opener in the IPL, he accumulated over 4000 runs. He can both play deep and maximize powerplay according to the team's requirement. Though his strike rate might vary from season to season, Rahul's impact as an opener in the IPL has been significant.

FAQs about KL Rahul in IPL

Q.1. Which team took KL Rahul in the IPL?

Answer: Delhi Capitals bought KL Rahul for the IPL 2025 season. The owners shelled out INR 14 crore to secure his services.

Q.2. Will KL Rahul play IPL 2024?

Answer: Yes, KL Rahul featured in the IPL 2024 season. He captained Lucknow Super Giants and scored 520 runs in 14 games with a 37.14 average and a 136.13 strike rate.

Q.3. Which team KL Rahul IPL 2025?

Answer: KL Rahul will be playing for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025 season. He was bought by DC during the mega auction for INR 14 crore salary.

Q.4. Is RCB buying KL Rahul?

Answer: No, RCB is not buying KL Rahul. RCB did bid for him during the IPL 2025 mega auction, but Delhi Capitals outbid them to sign him.

Q.5. How much KL Rahul sold in IPL 2024?

Answer: KL Rahul was retained by LSG in the IPL 2024 season. He was retained for INR 17 crore and captained his side.

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KL Rahul Career

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