IPL 2025: Why KL Rahul isn't included in DC playing XI against LSG in match 4

Delhi Capitals bought KL Rahul at the IPL 2025 mega auction for INR 14 crores.

The fourth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is currently underway at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

DC captain Axar Patel won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing that the dew factor might play a role later in the game. Playing against his former team DC, LSG captain Rishabh Pant also emphasized that he would have liked to bowl first, but mentioned that he doesn’t mind batting first on a good batting wicket.

Both DC and LSG had an underwhelming campaign in IPL 2024, finishing sixth and seventh respectively in the points table. However, one of the biggest surprises during today’s game is, KL Rahul not being included in the Capitals’ playing XI.

IPL 2025: Why KL Rahul isn’t included in DC playing XI against LSG in match 4

KL Rahul has not been named in DC playing XI against LSG because he is unavailable for selection today. The Indian batter, who is expecting his first child, has received special permission from the DC management to skip the match and to be with his wife.

The 32-year-old rushed back home to Mumbai on Sunday night upon learning that his wife, Athiya Shetty, could give birth at any moment. However, he is expected to join DC for their second game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 30.

Earlier, he was released by LSG before the IPL 2025 mega auction after a disappointing season and was bought by DC for INR 14 crores. He is part of DC’s leadership group alongside senior players like Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis.

DC vs LSG – Playing XI of both teams

DC: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (w), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar.

LSG: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant(w/c), David Miller, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi.

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