DC owner takes a jibe at LSG as KL Rahul joins Capitals

The KL Rahul and LSG saga has been a hot topic of discussion for quite a while. It all began when team owner Sanjeev Goenka was spotted giving the skipper an earful after Lucknow's heavy loss to SRH in IPL 2024. Speculation soon arose that the 2024 season would mark Rahul's final stint with the franchise. This prediction proved accurate when LSG announced their retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Matters were further complicated when Goenka took an indirect jab at Rahul following his exit, stating that the management sought players who "put the team before personal achievements." Rahul, known for his composed demeanor and aversion to public spats, remained silent throughout the controversy. However, now that DC has acquired him in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Delhi owner Parth Jindal seems to have come to Rahul’s defense.

"He will get the love and respect he deserves," says DC owner Parth Jindal for KL Rahul

Following the retention announcement in October, there was little to none expectation that LSG would bid for Rahul. True to the predictions, LSG went all-in on securing Rishabh Pant, putting a record-breaking ₹27 crore on the table to make the Indian wicketkeeper-batter the highest-paid player in the league’s history. Rahul, meanwhile, was picked up by Pant’s former team, Delhi Capitals, for ₹14 crore. With the auction proceedings now concluded, Parth Jindal, the DC owner, has officially welcomed Rahul to the team with a dramatic statement.

"I have known KL (Rahul) personally for a long time and he is a good friend of mine. He thrives with love and respect and I am going to give him the love and respect he deserves," said Jindal. "I believe a class player is always a class player... I hope he thrives in our atmosphere and does it for Delhi, wins an IPL," he further said.

Jindal's statement seems like a shut down for Sanjeev Goenka who earlier at the time of retentions took a jibe at KL Rahul. Talking about LSG's retained picks, Goenka explained that the management opted for players who would put the team ahead of their personal records. While Rahul didn't provide any further fuel to the fire, Jindal seems to have done the job for the former LSG captain. Meanwhile, Jindal also wished Rishabh Pant luck for his stint with LSG ahead.

In another update, the owner informed that the captaincy for Delhi Capitals will be shared by KL Rahul and Axar Patel in IPL 2025. Jindal explained that both Rahul and Patel are seasoned players and their experience will nurture the young lot in the camp. Moreover, he expressed to bank on the stability that Rahul provide as a top-order batter in the lineup.