Which team has bought KL Rahul and for how much money in IPL 2025 Auction?
Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has found a new home in the form of the Delhi Capitals (DC), who signed him for a sum of INR 14 crore at the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction in Jeddah on Sunday, November 24. He was released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) during the off-season, and was subject to a bidding war, before the 2020 IPL finalists prevailed.
Contrary to rumors, there was no homecoming set in store for Rahul as one of his former franchises, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bowed out of the race, and were not willing to go all out, and match DC on the auction floor. The likes of CSK and KKR also made appearances during the bidding war, but it was DC who secured the services.
KL Rahul emerges as a leadership candidate for DC, who are looking for a new skipper after having released former skipper Rishabh Pant, and not opting for the Right to Match option. The franchise already made a mark in the marquee sets by making a statement signing - Mitchell Starc for INR 11.75 crore.
This marks the fifth franchise for KL Rahul in the IPL, after having been part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the Punjab Kings and the Lucknow Super Giants in the past. His salary takes a slight dip after he was one of the pre-auction signings for LSG for INR 18 crore.
KL Rahul has scored 4683 runs in 132 IPL appearances at a strike rate of 134.60 and an average of 45.60.
A fresh start in store for KL Rahul at DC
Rahul had expressed a desire for a new chapter after his fallout with the LSG management towards the end of his three-year reign with the franchise. Despite positive talks and a reported retention offer, KL Rahul chose to go back into the auction pool.
"I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom, where the team atmosphere could be something lighter. Sometimes you need to move away and find something good for yourself," Rahul had said in an interview with Star Sports via the Economic Times.
It is worth noting that DC director of cricket Sourav Ganguly had offered KL Rahul advice during his struggle as well.