"Where I Could Find Freedom...": KL Rahul Discloses His Reasons For Leaving The Lucknow Super Giants

KL Rahul has disclosed the reasons behind his decision to leave the Lucknow Super Giants and return to the IPL 2025 big auction pool.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, according to right-handed batsman K.L. Rahul, will provide him with a platform to enjoy his game and eventually return to the India T20I squad. Rahul hasn't played for India in the shortest format since the 2022 Men's T20 World Cup. Since making his debut in 2016, Rahul has participated in 72 Twenty20 Internationals for India, scoring 2,265 runs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 139.12, with two hundreds and 22 fifties. From the IPL 2022 to 2024, Rahul led the Lucknow Super Giants, who qualified for the playoffs in 2022.

Before being let go by the squad before the 2025 season, Rahul amassed 1410 runs, the most the team had scored in three seasons. Rahul will be looking for a new squad to help him turn around his T20 fortunes at the upcoming IPL 2025 big auction, which is scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah.

"After being away from the T20 team for some time, I am aware of my current skill level and know what I need to accomplish to return. I am eager for this IPL season to provide me with a platform to resume playing cricket, with the obvious goal of rejoining the Indian T20 team.

He also discussed his motivation for joining the big auction pool. "I wanted to make a new beginning. I wanted to see what I could do, and I wanted to go play somewhere where I could have some flexibility and where the team dynamic could be more relaxed. There are times when you have to relocate and find a fulfilling life for yourself.

Rahul's next game will be on November 22 in Perth, when India plays Australia in the opening match of the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are in the running to open the batting with skipper Rohit Sharma, who is not guaranteed to play in Perth. The other opening possibility is uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran.