KL Rahul shares the intense emotions of the IPL 2025 mega auction: 'The nerve-wracking auction'

New Delhi: KL Rahul, India’s wicketkeeper-batter, opened up about his rollercoaster of emotions during the IPL 2025 auction. Describing it as a tense and stressful experience, Rahul admitted to feeling a mix of anxiety and nerves as players awaited their fate. The uncertainty surrounding their future destinations made it a tough situation to navigate, adding to the pressure on players as they awaited the outcome that could shape their careers in the game.

KL Rahul was included in the auction pool after being let go by the Lucknow Super Giants prior to the IPL auction. As one of the most sought-after players, he attracted interest from teams such as KKR, DC, and RCB, before finally being acquired by Delhi Capitals for a staggering INR 14 Crore. The India wicketkeeper-batter candidly shared his feelings when his name was called out by the auctioneer.

“The auction was a nerve-wracking experience. As a player, not knowing which team you will end up with is never easy. Over the years, I’ve seen how unpredictable auctions can be — there’s no fixed pattern to how things unfold. Having been a captain for the last three seasons, I have been actively involved in the process of building a team.”

“I understand the kind of pressure franchises face when assembling a squad. But from a player’s perspective, it’s even tougher because your career is at stake. The auction can shape a player’s future or present unexpected challenges. I was definitely nervous, even a little anxious. But at the same time, I knew this was the right step for my career. There was excitement too, though it didn’t last very long because reality sets in quickly,” KL Rahul said while speaking to JioStar.

KL Rahul ready for action in IPL 2025, to add a new chapter with DC:
KL Rahul was a key member of Team India during the ICC Champions Trophy, where he played a crucial role in the middle order and maintained his composure to help the Men in Blue secure the prestigious title. He hit the winning runs against Australia in the semifinal, smashing a six off Glenn Maxwell’s delivery.

Now that Delhi Capitals have acquired KL Rahul in the mega-auction, it remains to be seen whether the franchise will entrust him with the captaincy duties ahead of the IPL 2025 season.