Delhi Capitals (DC) could not get back the services of their former captain Rishabh Pant as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) increased the bid to a whopping Rs 27 crore at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. After losing out on Shreyas Iyer, DC decided to rope in KL Rahul and succeeded in doing so for Rs 14 crore. While Rahul is one of the promiment captaincy cadidates, DC have not named him the captain for the next edition. After the conclusion of Day 1 of the auction, co-owner Parth Jindal said that both Rahul and Axar Patel will lead the batting lineup.
“We were looking for stability in the top order, someone with experience who can build the innings. And, I think KL Rahul, given his record in the IPL, he's someone who's consistently given more than 400 runs every season. I think with the Kotla wicket, it is going to suit his game. We're very excited to have him,” Jindal said in the franchise's press release.
“We have a very young batting lineup. Both KL and Axar are going to lead them and are going to guide them. KL's batting and experience will be a vital cog in the wheel,” he further explained.
Captaincy not a deal-breaker for Rahul
Earlier this month, Rahul had made it clear that captaincy is not a deal-breaker for him. He wants respect from the next franchise he represents.
"I would never go and ask someone for it," he said on Star Sports. "If you feel that my leadership skills are good enough, and you find something good in the way I play my cricket and in the way I handle myself, the way that I handle the team that I've captained in the last four to five years, and if you find it worthy, then of course I'm happy to do it.
"But it's not something that is a make or break for me. I just want to be part of a team that has a good environment. You feel loved, cared for and respected in that environment and everyone on that franchise has one single goal to win the idea. there then that's a perfect fit."
DC's plans for auction
Jindal also revealed his plans for Day 2 of the auction. The franchise is looking for a couple of bowlers to bolster their attack.
“We just went for the best available talent. We're looking for a couple more bowlers tomorrow. I think the bowling attack will be very strong. Batting is also strong. Overall, it's going to be a very competitive squad," he said.
DC's picks on Day 1 of auction
Apart from Rahul, DC's next big pick in the auction was Australia's left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc. Another left-arm pacer they roped in was T Natarajan. They exercised the Right to Match (RTM) card for Jake Fraser-McGurk, acquiring his services for Rs 9 crore.
Their other picks were - England's Harry Brook (Rs 6.25 crore), Karun Nair (Rs 50 lakh), Mohit Sharma (Rs 2.20 crore) and uncapped players Sameer Rizvi (Rs 95 lakh), Ashutosh Sharma (Rs 3.80 crore). They have Rs 13.80 crore left in the purse with a maximum of 12 spots to fill including four overseas.
