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

Star player KL Rahul has been released from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) team ahead of the Indian Premier League (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.

Also Read: Lucknow Super Giants Retained Players, Released Players and Purse Remaining

Here are three teams who can sign KL Rahul in IPL auctions: 

3. Delhi Capitals

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.

Also Read: Delhi Capitals Retained Players, Released Players and Purse Remaining 

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.