KL Rahul, one of the most accomplished batters in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has donned many hats across his dynamic T20 career, including those of a leader. Having represented five IPL franchises, Rahul captained the Punjab Kings in 2020 and 2021 before taking charge of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from 2022 to 2024. Despite his stellar batting performances, leadership success eluded him, and the pressures of captaincy often overshadowed his individual brilliance.
One such instance unfolded dramatically during IPL 2024, when LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka publicly berated Rahul after a crushing 10-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. In that match, LSG posted a competitive 165/4, only to watch SRH chase it down in just 9.4 overs without losing a wicket. Clips of Goenka visibly losing his temper went viral, painting an uncomfortable picture of the internal dynamics at the franchise.
The aftermath was swift. Despite being LSG’s top scorer in IPL 2024, Rahul was not retained ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, signalling a clear break between the franchise and their skipper. While Rahul maintained his composure publicly and refrained from commenting on the incident at the time, he recently shed light on the emotional and mental toll of IPL captaincy in an interview with sports presenter Jatin Sapru.
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Without naming names, Rahul opened up about the strain of leading a side in an environment where non-sporting minds seek explanations for every setback.
“What I found really hard as a captain in the IPL was the number of meetings, reviews, and explanations needed at the ownership level. All of that is really energy-draining,” Kl Rahul revealed. He added that the post-IPL fatigue was more overwhelming than playing 10 straight months of international cricket.
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Rahul also spoke candidly about constant scrutiny, saying, “After a point, you almost feel like you’re being questioned for every tactical decision—why did Jatin play in the XI? Why did the opposition score 200 and we couldn’t? Why are their bowlers getting more spin?”
He pointed out a key difference between franchise cricket and international cricket—the environment of trust and understanding.
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“In international cricket, you’re answerable to coaches and selectors who have all played the game. They understand the nuances, and that makes a huge difference,” KL Rahul stated. “There’s no guarantee of victory in sport. That’s the hard part to explain to people who don’t come from a sporting background.”
As Rahul gears up for a new chapter in IPL 2025, his reflections offer a rare insight into the mental side of leadership—reminding us that even the calmest cricketers face storms beneath the surface.
