KL Rahul IPL Team [Source: @ankush_ks/X.com]
KL Rahul is a highly rated technically sound batter in Indian cricket. The Karnataka lad made his IPL debut in 2013 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Though he showcased glimpses of his potential, he didn’t get many opportunities to bat higher up the order.
Rahul joined Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2014 before eventually returning to RCB in 2016. Playing alongside Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, he scored 397 runs in 14 matches at an impressive strike rate of 146.49 to register a breakout season.
In 2018, Rahul was bought by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for a whopping INR 11 crore in the mega auction. He was entrusted with the role of an opener, which proved to be a turning point in his IPL career. In his debut game for Punjab, Rahul smashed the fastest fifty in IPL history, off just 14 balls.
In 2020, KL Rahul was appointed the captain of the Punjab Kings. Rahul performed individually well despite his side's inconsistency. He ended the season as the Orange Cap winner with 670 runs in 14 matches at an average of 55.83.
Ahead of the 2022 IPL season, KL Rahul parted ways with Punjab Kings and was drafted by the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for INR 17 crore. He was appointed captain and continued to lead from the front.
However, that stint lasted only 3 years as Rahul entered mega auction in 2025. Delhi Capitals locked him for the IPL 2025 season for a price of INR 14 crore.
KL Rahul IPL Teams
IPL Seasons | Teams | Salary |
---|---|---|
2013 | RCB | INR 10 Lakh |
2014-2015 | SRH | INR 1 crore |
2016-2017 | RCB | INR 1 crore |
2018-2021 | KXIP | INR 11 crore |
2022-2024 | LSG | INR 17 crore |
2025 | DC | INR 14 crore |
Teams KL Rahul has played for in the IPL
KL Rahul has played for a total of five teams in IPL, namely, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC). Across 132 games, he amassed 4683 runs at an average of 45.46 and a strike rate of 134.60. He also has four hundred and 37 fifties to his name.
KL Rahul’s role in his IPL team
KL Rahul is an opener who can also keep wickets. He can build innings for the team so that it can establish a good platform, especially during powerplays. Rahul has been one of the most consistent batters in the IPL, often finishing seasons among the top run-getters.
While his primary role is to anchor, Rahul can shift gears in the death overs, playing the role of a finisher when required. He is also an excellent leader with significant experience as a captain. He controls team strategies, bowling changes, and field placements, all this with a cool face.
Teams under his leadership have shown more consistency, with LSG entering the playoffs in its first season. When needed, Rahul steps up as a wicketkeeper, making the team combination more flexible.
KL Rahul’s impact on his IPL Team
KL Rahul would be seen playing for Delhi Capitals in the 2025 IPL season. He has captained Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for three seasons so far. During his captaincy, LSG was able to qualify for the playoffs in their first season, 2022, and since then, it has been consistent. Rahul has also been the mainstay of LSG's batting lineup, consistently performing at the top order.
He scored 616 runs in 15 matches with two centuries in 2022. That helped him become the second-highest run-getter of the season. Rahul has cultivated a team-first culture and encourages young players like Ayush Badoni and Mayank Yadav.
KL Rahul and IPL Auction
KL Rahul and IPL Auction [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X.com]
IPL auction history for KL Rahul
KL Rahul first entered the IPL auction in 2013 as an uncapped player and was bagged by RCB for a base price of INR 10 Lakhs. A year later, SRH bagged him for INR 1 crore. Although he had limited success during his time there, he showcased glimpses of his talent. Rahul was brought back by RCB for INR 1 crore in 2016 and had a breakthrough season in 2016, scoring 397 runs in 14 matches. Unfortunately, he missed the 2017 season due to injury.
In the 2018 IPL auction, Rahul was one of the biggest picks. Kings XI Punjab bought him for whooping price of INR 11 crore. He immediately repaid the franchise with a stellar season, scoring 659 runs in 14 matches, including the fastest IPL fifty (14 balls). Over the next four seasons, he consistently performed as Punjab’s leading run-scorer and also took over as captain in 2020.
In the 2022 mega auction, Rahul was not part of the regular bidding pool. Instead, he was signed as the captain and marquee player by the newly-formed Lucknow Super Giants for INR 17 crore, making him one of the most expensive players in IPL history.
In IPL 2025, KL Rahul entered the mega auction again and this time Delhi Capitals went after him to secure him for INR 14 crore, a significant decline from his previous salary with LSG.
KL Rahul’s IPL 2025 auction status
As of the 2025 IPL season, KL Rahul has transitioned from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to the Delhi Capitals (DC). In the IPL 2025 Mega Auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Rahul was bought by the Delhi Capitals for INR 14 crore. Even though Rahul was one of the primary players for LSG, and he had even captained the team, the franchise released him due to reasons not disclosed by the management. However, several critics claimed that his on-field feud with LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka was the main reason for the breakup.
FAQs about KL Rahul IPL Team
Q.1 In which IPL team is KL Rahul?
Answer: KL Rahul is a part of Delhi Capitals as of the IPL 2025 season. He entered the mega auction and as a marquee player, he fetched a price of INR 14 crore.
Q.2 Who is the captain of LSG in IPL2024?
Answer: KL Rahul was the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2024. However, LSG had an underwhelming season, finishing 7th on the table.
Q.3 Did RCB buy KL Rahul?
Answer: No, RCB did not buy KL Rahul. They tried bidding for him during the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, Delhi Capitals outbid them to secure Rahul for a whooping price of INR 14 crore.
Q.4 How many runs of KL Rahul in IPL 2024?
Answer: KL Rahul scored 520 runs across 14 games in IPL 2024 season. He maintained an average of 37.14 and a strike rate of 136.13 with 4 half centuries.
Q.5 Why did RCB not by KL Rahul?
Answer: RCB initiated bidding for KL Rahul in IPL 2025 mega auction. Having previously played for the team, RCB were expected to go all in for the local boy. However, the franchise didn’t show much intent and let him go to DC for INR 14 crore.