LSG plan to release KL Rahul ahead of IPL 2025 because of low strike rate

KL Rahul has played 38 games for LSG, where he scored 1410 runs at a strike rate of 130.67 in the IPL.

Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are all set to release wicket-keeper batter and their captain KL Rahul due to his low strike rate, a source confirmed to Khel Now on July 21.

In 132 matches so far in the IPL, Rahul has smashed 4683 runs at an average of 45.47. The right-handed batter has 37 fifties and four centuries till now. However, the biggest concern for him is his strike rate, which is only 134.61, which is not that great in modern-day T20 cricket, where batters hit boundaries right from the start.

Lucknow Super Giants to release Rahul ahead of IPL 2025 season

The Lucknow-based franchise had roped in KL Rahul for Rs. 17 crores as a draft pick before their debut in IPL 2022. Rahul was then named as captain of the side and led the team in three seasons so far. LSG also made it to the playoffs in their first two seasons in 2022 and 2023, but failed to do so for the first time in 2024.

In the IPL 2022 edition, Rahul played 15 matches and smashed 616 runs for LSG. The Lucknow captain hammered four half-centuries and two hundreds at an average of 51.33.

In the 2023 season, the Lucknow batter played nine games and scored 274 runs at an average of 34.25. Rahul was ruled out midway through the tournament due to an injury. He then had a good run with the bat in the 2024 edition as well, where he scored 520 runs in 15 games.

However, the biggest concern for the LSG management was his poor strike rate in all three editions of the IPL. In the 2022 edition, Rahul had a strike rate of 135.38, whereas in the 2023 season, Rahul scored runs at a strike rate of 113.22. In IPL 2024, Rahul had a strike of 136.13, which is very low when it comes to modern-day T20 cricket. This is one of the reasons why KL Rahul is going to be released by the management ahead of the next season.

A source close to the developments has informed Khel Now that the Lucknow-based franchise is looking to move on from captain KL Rahul because of his poor strike rate and want to build a team with T20 specialists.

“The franchise isn’t very happy with KL Rahul’s approach and strike rate in T20 cricket and they’re looking for more T20 specialists to add in the side,” said the source.

He further added, “The franchise will not retain KL Rahul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, but might use RTM card on him if needed.”

Adding to the same, the source also pointed out that KL Rahul has captained in seven seasons for two teams in the IPL, but has never won the title once and based on his track record, LSG might look for a new captain as well for the next season.

“KL Rahul has captained for a long time (seven seasons) in the IPL for two teams (Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants) from 2018, but is yet to win the title as captain. His track record isn’t that good as captain and the franchise may look for new captaincy options,” the source concluded.

While representing LSG, Rahul has played 38 matches till now in the IPL. The Lucknow skipper has amassed 1410 runs at an average of 41.47 and strike rate of 130.67.

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