KL Rahul is expected to miss his first game for Delhi Capitals on Monday against his former franchise Lucknow Super Giants in Vizag. Rahul was roped in by DC ahead of the auction as his good friend Rishabh Pant switched sides by joining the Lucknow franchise. He has joined the squad but might miss the game due to personal reasons as pointed out by his skipper Axar Patel.
Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants kick off their respective campaign in Vizag. Vizag is one of the two home ground for the Capitals this season. The venue will host two games for the Capitals. DC play SRH on March 30 after their game against LSG on Monday, March 24. The Capitals play five games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi between April 13-May 11.
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KL Rahul Expecting Birth Of His First Child
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has revealed the reason behind KL Rahul's likely absence from the game. It is to be noted that Rahul is expecting his first child with his wife Athiya Shetty. There were previous reports of Rahul's likely absence from the first game as well.
“Obviously, he joined the team and we all know that he has a personal problem. So, we don't know yet. So, if he comes back, we ask him if he is okay and we'll let you know tomorrow morning. I think we've got to know and so, now we don't know if he is available or not,” said Axar in the pre-match press conference on Sunday.
Axar Patel also spoke about the prospect of him leading the Capitals in this IPL season. The Capitals approached Rahul first to lead the side but the Indian wicketkeeper-batter did not want to become the captain. It was then that the franchise named Axar Patel as their new captain.
"I have been playing for this franchise since 2019, and it has played a huge role in my growth as a cricketer. Being entrusted with the captaincy is a great honour for me. We have several leaders within the squad, and I continue to learn from their experience. It's reassuring to have such seasoned players like KL Rahul, and Faf du Plessis by my side. I believe we have a well-balanced team this season, and I am confident that we will turn things around and achieve the results we aspire to" Patel said.
The southpaw also shared his vision in leading the franchise where he has been playing since IPL 2019. Over the last few seasons, the southpaw has been a crucial part of their success.
"At the end of the day, I don't want to overcomplicate things. As a captain, I have told the group that cricket is just a game—keep it simple. If your execution is good, everything will fall into place. I'm not asking them to chase specific results; I just want them to focus on keeping things simple. That will be my approach throughout the tournament. All the players are eager to do something special for this franchise. With a new team and a new captain, we haven't played together much yet, but our mindset is clear, to go out there, express ourselves, and play fearlessly. Everyone is committed to giving their 100%, and the players truly enjoy the atmosphere within the DC family" Patel concluded saying.
Delhi Capitals remain one of the three original franchises to not win the IPL title yet alongside Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings.
Also Read: DC vs LSG Match Preview & Where to Watch Live? IPL 2025 Match 4
