Rahul’s non-appearance in the Delhi Capitals’ first match against his old team, the Lucknow SuperGiants, created intrigue among fans. It was known that the ace batsman had gone back home due to personal issues just before the match, missing the team camp in Visakhapatnam. Though Delhi’s captain, Axar Patel, avoided explaining Rahul’s non-appearance at the toss, rumors regarding his non-availability had already started spreading.

This is Rahul’s debut season with the Delhi Capitals, who signed him for ₹14 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. Rahul was the captain of the Lucknow SuperGiants for three seasons, leading the team to two playoff finishes. Even though he was the fulcrum of Lucknow, the franchise decided against exercising the Right to Match (RTM) card, paving the way for Delhi to sign him.

KL Rahul’s IPL career has witnessed him representing several franchises, beginning with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2013. He then played for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) before returning to RCB in 2016. Following a hiatus in the 2017 season due to injury, he represented Punjab Kings between 2018 and 2021, then served as the captain of Lucknow SuperGiants between 2022 and 2024. During the previous IPL season, Rahul accumulated 520 runs in 14 games with a strike rate of 136.13.

KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty, who is a Bollywood actress and daughter of Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty, got married in 2023 after being in a relationship for four years. The couple had announced Athiya’s pregnancy in November 2024 in a common social media statement.

While it remains uncertain when Rahul will rejoin the Delhi Capitals, fans eagerly await his return to the field. Until then, the cricketing world celebrates the new chapter in Rahul and Athiya’s lives as proud parents.

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Last night in IPL 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head handed Lucknow Super Giants an embarrassing 10-wicket defeat in an incredible run-chase. After this, Lucknow franchise owner Sanjeev Goenka was seen talking to captain KL Rahul near the team dugout for a long time. Anger could be seen on Goenka’s face. What conversation took place between the two could not be heard, but after watching the video it is certain that KL Rahul’s class was organized. Now this video is becoming increasingly viral on social media, seeing which fans are going crazy.

Huge uproar on social media

Frustrated with the defeat, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka’s disrespectful behavior towards an international player is beyond comprehension. Goenka probably forgot the spirit of the game. Well, this is the first time that such a ridiculous action has been taken by any IPL franchise with the players on the field. Now despite the poor performance, people have come out in support of KL Rahul on social media.

Why discuss behind closed doors in front of the world?

When this animated conversation between Sanjiv Goenka and KL Rahul was being telecasted live, the on-air commentators also gave their opinions on the whole matter. Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris said, ‘Such conversations should always happen behind closed doors. Many of the cameras don’t leave anything behind. Now KL Rahul will go to many programs like prize ceremonies and press conferences, probably explaining what was being discussed, Rahul has done a good job by keeping himself calm here.

KL Rahul made a lot of mistakes

When the coin toss fell in favor of KL Rahul, without wasting any time he decided to bat first, after which experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar spoiled the entire plan of Hyderabad. He took two wickets for seven runs in the powerplay. Lucknow made 27/2, the lowest score in its powerplay history. Captain KL Rahul looked very defensive, due to which the team took its total beyond 50 runs in the 10th over. Rahul also got out in the same over. He scored 29 runs on 33 balls. This was the first time that his strike rate remained below 100 even after playing 30-plus balls. Young Ayush Badoni scored 55 runs on 30 balls and with the help of experienced Nicholas Puran’s unbeaten inning of 48 runs on 26 balls, Lucknow was able to score 165/4, which Hyderabad achieved in just 9.4 overs without losing any wickets.

Afterward, the wicketkeeper player joined the Lucknow Super Giants as the captain of the establishment. Rahul made his IPL debut in 2013. In his 11-extended profession, Rahul has played a sum of 124 games while scoring 4367 runs in the IPL.

KL Rahul’s Best Exhibitions In The IPL

132 not out versus Imperial Challengers Bengaluru

Lightning had struck at the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Arena on September 24, 2020, when KL Rahul crushed his IPL-best score of 132 (not out) against Illustrious Challengers Bengaluru. The Rulers XI Punjab (presently Punjab Lords) captain stayed unbeaten as he accomplished this great figure in a simple 69 balls. His heavenly exhibition included 14 limits and seven sixes. Rahul’s thump initiated Punjab to a 97-run triumph over RCB.

103 not out versus Mumbai Indians

KL Rahul was at his best against Mumbai Indians on April 16, 2022. Playing at the Brabourne Arena in Mumbai, the Karnataka-conceived hitter directed Lucknow to an 18-run triumph against the five-time IPL champions. The expert player stayed not out while adding 103 races to his group’s count confronting only 60 balls. His innings included nine limits and five sixes.

103 not out versus Mumbai Indians

Only eight days after his most memorable 100 years of IPL 2022, KL Rahul added his second ton of the time against Mumbai Indians. Subsequent to losing his kindred opener Quinton de Kock, Rahul assumed the liability to moor his group’s innings. The expert Indian hitter crushed an unbeaten 103 runs in 62 balls. His thump included 12 limits and four sixes. His heroics assisted LSG with coming to 168/6, in the long run, dominating the match by 36 runs.

100 not out versus Mumbai Indians

KL Rahul’s most memorable hundred years against the Mumbai Indians came in 2019 when he set up an outright show at the Wankhede Arena. Addressing Lords XI Punjab (presently Punjab Rulers), Rahul scored 100 runs off 64 balls while staying unbeaten against the then Rohit Sharma-drove side. He hit six limits and was a huge number in the match to assist Punjab with arriving at a sum of 197. Rahul’s thump, in any case, didn’t end up being enough as Mumbai Indians got a three-wicket triumph in that apparatus.

98 not out versus Chennai Super Rulers

Addressing Punjab Rulers, KL Rahul delivered one more paramount thump of 98 (not out) against the then MS Dhoni-drove Chennai Super Lords on October 7, 2021. Pursuing a 135-run target, Rahul crushed seven limits and eight sixes. He did as such in 42 balls, leading his side to a predominant six-wicket triumph.