KL Rahul Opens Up on LSG Exit, Reasons Wanting 'Lighter' Team Atmosphere and Fresh Goals in IPL 2025

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India's star batter and former Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain, KL Rahul, recently spoke about his departure from the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, marking the end of a three-year journey. During his time with LSG, Rahul led the team to the playoffs twice.

However, the franchise still opted not to retain him after the 2024 season. Speaking on Star Sports' Unplugged, Rahul explained his reasons for stepping away and his aspirations for the upcoming IPL season.

"I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom, where the team atmosphere could be something lighter," Rahul stated in the promo. He emphasized the importance of change, suggesting that sometimes, "you need to move away and find something good for yourself."

Rahul's tenure with LSG saw both successes and challenges. As the team's first draft pick in 2022, he scored 1,410 runs across three seasons with an impressive average of 41.47, though his strike rate of 130.67 often drew criticism. Despite this, he remained the franchise's leading run-scorer, including two centuries.

However, tensions reportedly surfaced during the 2024 season, with the franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka publicly reprimanding the team following a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, potentially influencing Rahul's decision to part ways.

Rahul's departure from LSG isn't just about finding a new team; it's part of his plan to return to India's T20 setup. Rahul, who last played for India in T20Is at the 2022 World Cup, sees the IPL as a vital platform for his comeback. "I have been out of the T20 team for a while, and I know where I stand as a player," Rahul said.

"I'll look forward to this IPL season to give me that platform where I can go back and enjoy my cricket. My aim is to obviously get back into the Indian T20 team," he added. He enters the mega auction which is set for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah.

Rahul's value as a keeper-opener and experienced captain is likely to make him one of the most sought-after players in the auction. He aims to find a franchise that will allow him to embrace a "lighter atmosphere," giving him the freedom to play his natural game and rebuild his standing in Indian cricket.