KL Rahul really showed what he’s got during the IPL 2025 match against his former team, the Lucknow Super Giants. He led the Delhi Capitals to an easy eight-wicket victory, and it was impressive to watch. This game was a bit of a homecoming for him, as it was the first time he played at the venue after being let go by LSG last year. He made it count too, scoring an unbeaten fifty and hitting three fours and three sixes. By the way, LSG’s owner, Sanjiv Goenka, was watching from the stands during the match.
Rahul’s time with LSG had a rocky end. Last year, the team’s performance took a nosedive, finishing seventh in the standings and missing out on playoff spots. After three seasons where he led the team—two of which were playoff appearances—he was released right before the big IPL auction in 2024. So, you can imagine that hitting a six over mid-wicket to seal the win last Tuesday must have felt pretty sweet for him. He finished the match having scored 57 runs off 42 balls.
After the game, you could see he was eager to move through the post-match handshakes, especially when greeting Goenka. He later took to social media to connect with LSG fans, saying, “Always good to be back in Lucknow,” along with some shots from his innings. One of the pictures even showed him celebrating while pointing to his name on the back of his Delhi Capitals jersey.
When he left LSG, Rahul made it pretty clear that things weren’t exactly smooth sailing in the team’s dressing room. He mentioned, “I wanted to start fresh and explore my options. I wanted to go somewhere I could feel free, where the team’s vibe was lighter. Sometimes, stepping away helps you find what you really need.”
In response to the changes in the team, Goenka explained why they decided to keep certain players while letting Rahul go. He mentioned that they aimed to bring in players who were all about the team’s success rather than just their individual goals. “We wanted to keep as much of the core as we could,” he said, showing that they were looking ahead while trying to build a strong team culture.
All in all, it was an interesting match with a lot of backstory that added to the drama on the field. Rahul’s performance not only highlighted his skills but also brought along a sense of closure for him with the whole LSG chapter.
