LSG vs DC: Will KL Rahul play for Delhi Capitals? Mystery looms over clash against Sanjiv Goenka's Lucknow Super Giants

Uncertainty surrounds KL Rahul’s availability for Delhi Capitals’ (DC) opening clash against Sanjiv Goenka-owned Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), even as the wicketkeeper-batter has joined the team in Visakhapatnam. DC captain Axar Patel said there was no confirmation on whether he would play the first game.

"Obviously, he joined the team. We do not know yet [if he will play]. Right now we do not know if he is available or not," Axar said during a press conference, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

The match carries added significance as two of India’s top players will go up against their former teams. Rahul, now with Delhi, will take on LSG, the franchise he previously captained. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, who played his entire IPL career for DC, will lead LSG after being acquired for a record Rs 27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history.


In IPl 2024, Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen in a heated discussion with the then captain, KL Rahul.

Rahul’s availability remains uncertain as he awaits the birth of his first child with wife Athiya Shetty. The couple announced the pregnancy in November 2024.

Australia women’s captain Alyssa Healy—wife of Mitchell Starc, who recently joined the DC camp—suggested that Rahul might not be available for the first two matches. Speaking to YouTube channel LiSTNR Sport, Healy indicated that his return could be delayed further.

Rahul heads into IPL 2025 on the back of a strong showing in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph. During the tournament, he played a key role at No. 6, as the team opted to push Axar Patel to No. 5 for extra depth. In the final against New Zealand, he anchored a tense chase with an unbeaten 34 off 33 balls. Across five matches, he scored 140 runs at an average of 140.00 and a strike rate of 97.90.

With 4,683 IPL runs at an average of 45.46 and a strike rate of 134.60 across 132 matches, Rahul is the 12th-highest run-scorer in tournament history. He has recorded four centuries and 37 fifties, with a highest score of 132*. Having previously played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and LSG, he is yet to win an IPL title.

As DC prepare for their opening match, the question of Rahul’s participation remains unanswered, adding intrigue to their high-profile clash against LSG.