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Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain KL Rahul has parted ways with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise after a four-year-long relationship. The veteran batter played some exceptional knocks for the team and even led the side for previous two seasons. Even though Rahul was brilliant with the bat, he failed to get PBKS into playoffs, let alone win their maiden IPL trophy. Director of Cricket Operations of PBKS, Anil Kumble has opened up on why they let Rahul go in the mega auction instead of retaining him.
“He wanted to go back to auction”
“KL has been the fulcrum for us in the last four years, and the last two years in the time that I have been with Punjab, he has been the captain. Obviously, we wanted to retain him and continue with him to be the focus for Punjab. But he decided that he wanted to go back to auction," said Kumble in a video posted on iplt20.com.
"And the rules of the IPL before a big auction is that the player decides whether he wants to be retained or wants to go back. So, we respect that, hopefully, he will be a part of that auction and let us see what happens," he added.
Rahul played 13 matches in IPL 2021 and scored 626 runs with an average of 46.38 and a strike rate of 138.80. He was the top run-scorer of the season before the playoffs stage.
Faith on Mayank and Arshdeep
With skipper Rahul parting ways with the Punjab franchise, his opening partner Mayank Agarwal is the first pick along with uncapped left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. Apart from Rahul, the notable exclusions are young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and big-hitter Shahrukh Khan. The franchise did not retain their expensive Australian recruits Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith as well.
