KL Rahul has opened up for the first time after being released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The 32-year-old batter admitted that he wants a ‘fresh start’.
Towards the end of the 2023 season, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka had a heated outburst on Rahul. That created a distance between the two parties. Rahul was the face of LSG for three seasons where he was also the captain. He amassed 1410 runs at an average of 41.47 but his strike-rate was always under question.
Thus, the Karnataka cricketer is looking to explore his options and is eyeing a team where he can play with some freedom. Rahul has been a consistent run-getter over the last few years in the IPL. He has racked up in excess of 500 runs in six out of the last seven editions.
“I wanted to start fresh. I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom. Team atmosphere would be lighter, sometimes you just need to move away and find something good for yourself and I have been out of the T20 team for a while,” KL Rahul was quoted saying in a Star Sports show named Unplugged.
Rahul eyeing a T20I comeback
While Rahul has been in and around the ODI and Test setup, he has been out of the T20I team for a couple of years now. His last T20 international fixture was in the 2022 T20 World Cup where he got 128 runs in six innings at a strike-rate of 120.75.
India moved on from him and blended in fresh blood. They then opted for the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cup 2024. On either side of the mega event which India won, the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson have been given chances.
Hence, Rahul is aiming to bounce back and return to the T20I format. But with stiff competition, Rahul will need a blockbuster IPL season in 2025 if he wants to push his case.
“I know where I stand as a player and I know what I need to do to get back. I look forward to this IPL season to give me that platform to go back and enjoy my cricket. My aim is to obviously get back into the T20 team,” Rahul added.
All eyes will be on the IPL 2025 auction where Rahul could attract high bids.
