KL Rahul’s omission from the Lucknow Super Giants’ retained players list for the IPL 2025 auctions has sparked speculation about his future destination. The former LSG captain, who was one of the most sought-after players in the league, is now a free agent and could be pursued by several franchises.
One potential suitor is Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rahul’s former team. RCB legend AB de Villiers has hinted that the franchise may be interested in bringing Rahul back. “If only we kept hold of KL Rahul, we never would’ve had to buy him back in the auction,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
De Villiers also suggested that RCB could target Kagiso Rabada, the South African fast bowler who had a disappointing IPL season with Punjab Kings in 2024. “Kagiso Rabada would be nice at RCB; that would be very, very cool,” de Villiers said. “He is a guy that might go for a decent price like a discount. I think he is gonna have the best IPL of his life coming up in 2025.”
Another team that could be interested in Rahul is Punjab Kings. Newly-appointed coach Ricky Ponting expressed surprise at Rahul’s release by LSG. “It seems certain franchises are aiming for a change in direction,” Ponting said.
Rahul’s availability in the auction pool has created a buzz among IPL fans. The 31-year-old is a proven match-winner and has been one of the most consistent performers in the league. He has scored over 3,000 runs in the IPL, including two centuries and 27 half-centuries.
Rahul’s leadership skills are also highly regarded. He led LSG to the playoffs in their debut season in 2022. He has also captained India in limited-overs cricket.
With the IPL 2025 auctions set to take place in December, Rahul’s future destination remains uncertain. However, it is clear that he will be one of the most sought-after players in the league.
