KL Rahul has been acquired by Delhi Capitals (DC) for a whopping Rs 14 crore in the IPL 2024 Mega Auction. The most experienced batter of the side, Rahul declared his determination to win the title, stating: “I have never won an IPL and Delhi has never won. Let’s do it together.” Rahul’s message, communicated on the official social media platforms of the franchise, point toward a new page both for the player and the team.
During his IPL career, Rahul has played for four different teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Although he is a successful individual with many seasons as the league’s top run-scorer, he hasn’t won an IPL title. This drought ends with a new opportunity as he joins Delhi, and the franchise is similarly seeking to end its own title pursuit.
He is known for his adaptability: he has made a mark as both a top-order batter and wicketkeeper, making him one of the most reliable performers in the league. Rahul was a middle-order opener when he began but became one of the consistent run-toppers in the league. He amassed over 590 runs between the years 2018 and 2022.
He had a record-breaking 14-ball fifty against Delhi Daredevils in 2018, which was the fastest half-century in IPL history at that time. Rahul bagged the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs in the season with a tally of 670 in the year 2020.
Rahul’s leadership skills were also developed when he was the captain of Punjab Kings in the 2020-21 season, where he showed strategic acumen. Then with LSG, he took the team to the playoffs in their first season, and did it again the next year. But his IPL 2023 was short-lived as he suffered a thigh injury and played only nine matches.
Rahul’s signing has been a big statement on both the player’s end and the team’s to try and combine his batting perfection and leadership experience for trying to achieve IPL glory for the first time in Delhi Capitals. With the good history of consistent run-scoring and with tactical acumen, KL Rahul is likely to play a very key role in helping the Capitals in obtaining their maiden IPL title. Rahul and the franchise will be hoping that the season coming up will finally gift them with the long wait for the championship.
With inputs from ANI.