Indian cricketer KL Rahul is finally going through good times after his consistent finishing performances played huge roles for Rohit Sharma-led India to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as the unbeaten side. According to the latest media reports, Rahul declined the Delhi Capitals' captaincy offer for the IPL 2025. 

As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ended, the IPL 2025 is set to take the grand stage as it is less than two weeks away to begin. The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League is surely going to be exciting after experiencing the record-breaking two-day mega auctions. 

KL Rahul led Lucknow Super Giants for the last three seasons

KL Rahul was the captain of Lucknow Super Giants in their first three seasons of the IPL. In their first two editions (2022 and 2023), while Rahul was the regular skipper, LSG qualified for the playoffs in both those editions. In both those editions, Rahul-led LSG finished their tournament journey at the Eliminators. 

Without any doubt, Rahul continued his leadership role for LSG in their third season, which was the last IPL season (2024). However, it was an unsuccessful season for them as they finished in the seventh place. Captain Rahul wasn't in the good book anymore in the LSG team management as they were unhappy with his leadership role, which we even experienced on the field, especially when he had a heated conversation with the franchise Chairman Sanjiv Goenka during their ten-wicket defeat against the hosts SunRisers Hyderabad. 

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Delhi Capitals bought KL Rahul for INR 14 crore

Despite Rahul being the only LSG batter to score 1000+ runs, he was released from the squad before the mega auctions. In the mega auctions, Delhi Capitals secured him by winning his bid for INR 14 crore. There wasn't any doubt that he could be offered for the leadership role of the new franchise, especially after the non-retention of the former skipper Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals will announce their new regular captain soon.

It is the clear battle between Axar Patel and KL Rahul, while Rahul has reportedly declined the captaincy offer of the Delhi Capitals for the IPL 2025 season. So, the long-term Delhi Capitals player Axar Patel, who led DC in the IPL 2024 once in the absence of regular captain Rishabh Pant, is likely to take the leadership role of the franchise for the new season.