A wicketkeeper-batter of Team India, KL Rahul, has generated an uproar in the cricket fraternity with his recent remark on his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). During his appearance on the 2 Sloggers YouTube channel, Rahul gave a one-liner that was a hint that he could be joining a new franchise by the IPL mini-auction of 2026, which is probably set to be held in the month of December this year.
Rahul did not confirm the name of the team but his message immediately generated a buzz in the social media. The fans already started debating which franchise the stylish right hander is going to represent going forward, particularly following his recent transfer out of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
In the show, Rahul made a joke that, he was not too far behind Aaron Finch in terms of team representing in IPL. This comment referred to the former Australian captain, which has played in nine different franchises in IPL in a record time. This comparison was entertaining yet puzzling since fans were unsure as to whether Rahul was alluding to a new era in his T20 league career.
The last time Rahul played in the Indian cricket team was against the Australian ODI series. He got 38 and 11 in the first two games and had no opportunity to bat in the third game as India lost the series 1-2. Although his career in the quiet series took a back seat, Rahul is still a core component of the white-ball team in India and still considers as one of the technically correct batters in the contemporary cricket.
In 2013, Rahul started playing in IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In 2014, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) picked him and he came back to RCB in 2016. His performances led to a major contract with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2018 in [?]11 crore. Along with Punjab, Rahul was one of the most run prolific players in the tournament, and he always made it to the 500 runodes in each season.
His strike rate was however frequently questioned. Although he was a successful run accumulator, critics were concerned with how he handled the powerplay overs. In 2021, after four seasons, PBKS terminated him after the campaign. In 2022, Rahul was picked as the first selection of the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants, and was signed by him at [?]17 crore and became their captain. Lucknow under his leadership completed the first season with third rank, which is impressive as a new franchise.
However, the 2023 season also introduced one of the most difficult periods of the career of Rahul. He tore his right thigh tendon seriously during fielding against RCB to need surgery that left him out of the remaining part of the tournament. Retrospecting on the same phase in future, Rahul acknowledged that it was his worst-ever IPL season both at personal and professional front.
Rahul and Lucknow Super Giants agreed to go their separate ways for IPL 2025 mega auction. He scored 1,410 runs with the average of 41.47 and the strike rate of 130.68 and two century and ten half-centuries during his tenure with the franchise.
The second phase of Rahul’s career was with Delhi Capitals (DC) whom they bought at the [?]14 crore auction. At the middle order, Rahul played with his attacking mindset as he notched up 539 runs with a strike rate of 149.72, the highest in seven years. This reverse had his critics go silent as he once again proved that he could adjust and play in any batting position.
KL Rahul has played in five franchises during his IPL days, which are RCB, SRH, PBKS, LSG and DC. He is the only player to have scored centuries with three different teams as well as to have been the fastest Indian to reach 5,000 IPL runs.
The IPL journey of Rahul, as a promising kid, through the top of the league, as one of the most trusted players, tells both of the strength and progress. His contribution to the tournament is undeniable whether he is leading a team or he is at the batting order.
