IPL 2025: Top 3 teams who can sign KL Rahul in mega-auction

IPL 2025- Top 3 teams who can sign KL Rahul in mega-auction (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Star player KL Rahul has been released from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) team ahead of the (IPL 2025) mega auctions. Rahul has been a part of the LSG camp since the franchise came into being in 2022. Under him, the team reached the playoffs of IPL 2022 and 2023 respectively. But the 2024 season proved to be disastrous and owner, Sanjiv Goenka’s venting out at the cricketers did not sit well with pundits and fans alike.

The rumours turned out to be true as the wicketkeeper-batter's name went missing from the retention list released on October 31. Every franchise had a purse of 120 crores with a 75 crore limit for the retained players, leaving a team with 45 crores to enter the auction with. LSG have spent 51 crore combined in retaining Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. This leaves the franchise with a slim chance to RTM a star player like Rahul with 45 crore in their kitty.

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Here are three teams who can sign KL Rahul in IPL auctions:  3. Delhi Capitals Delhi Capitals. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Delhi Capitals (DC) have retained uncapped Abhishek Porel, who opened the innings with Jake Fraser McGurk in IPL 2024. The franchise has also let McGurk go and are left with a vacancy for the opener’s slot. Moreover, they have also released their star player and captain, Rishabh Pant and are left without an experienced wicketkeeper-batter.

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Though Porel is also a wicketkeeper-batter, he was mostly seen playing as an impact player for DC. With Rahul having the ability to don the gloves and lead the team at the same time, DC can keep their eyes open and wallets safe to ink a deal with the right-handed batter. The only point of concern is their balance purse, which is 45 crore and if they eye Rahul, they might have to shed at least half of their remaining purse amount.

2. Punjab Kings   KL Rahul. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are the wealthiest of all franchises as they enter the IPL 2025 auctions. They have retained just two uncapped players in the form of Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh for 5.5 and four crore, respectively. They have a whopping 110.5 crore in their purse which will be the cause of concern for other teams. Moreover, they have kept doors open for even national and international players.

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Rahul played for Punjab Kings from 2018 to 2021. He even captained the side in 2020 and 2021 before joining hands with LSG. The Karnataka-based was in golden form for the team whenever he batted and could not replicate the same as captain with team dynamics being volatile for most part of his stay. With PBKS in dire need of leadership and Rahul having experience of the same in IPL over the years. The old allegiance might rekindle at the auction table.

1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru KL Rahul (Photo Source : X/Twitter)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have surprised their fans by not retaining a single overseas player and only two capped players in the form of Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. The other retention is the uncapped pacer, Yash Dayal. The franchise has spent 37 crores for the three players, 21 crores, 11 crores and 5 crores, respectively. They will sit at the auction table with 83 crore in their purse.

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Rumours are mounting of Rahul’s potential comeback to his old franchise. For the unversed, he donned the red jersey in 2013. With RCB stressing on solidifying the Indian core, Rahul could be the go-to choice as he is well well-versed with Bengaluru conditions being a local boy. Moreover, RCB will also enter the auctions in search of an opening pair for Kohli.