IPL 2025: KL Rahul to miss DC's first two matches
What's the story
Delhi Capitals's (DC) star wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul might miss the team's first two games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
The reason? He's going to be a father soon with his wife Athiya Shetty.
Meanwhile, the news was revealed by Alyssa Healy, captain of the Australian women's cricket team and wife of Mitchell Starc who will play for DC this season, during a discussion about the franchise on LiSTNR Sport.
Here's more.
Player history
Rahul's journey with Delhi Capitals
Rahul was picked by DC for ₹14 crore in the IPL 2025 auction after being released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) who he had led to two playoffs as captain.
Meanwhile, the two teams will lock horns in their first match of the season on March 24.
However, it appears that Rahul might not be available for the Visakhapatnam game.
Team dynamics
Capitals's captaincy and Rahul's new role
Since Rahul's acquisition, there has been speculation about the Delhi Capitals's captaincy.
The franchise eventually appointed Axar Patel as their skipper for the new season, with Faf du Plessis serving as vice-captain.
Interestingly, reports suggest that the team have decided to position Rahul in a middle-order role this season, following Brook's withdrawal from the tournament.
Player statistics
Rahul's middle-order role and past performance
Rahul's move to the middle-order comes as a strategic decision by DC due to team composition needs following Brook's withdrawal.
His experience and stability will be important in this new role.
Despite limited opportunities, Rahul had shown his worth as a middle-order batter in IPL 2016 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
According to ESPNcricinfo, he has played 24 matches outside the opening slot scoring 388 runs at an average of 38.80.
Statement
Healy's statement on Rahul's potential absence
As mentioned, Healy shared the news while discussing the franchise on LiSTNR Sport.
"No Harry Brook, (so) it will be interesting to see who the replacement player will be. They have KL Rahul, who will probably not play the first couple of games. I think they are awaiting the birth of (their) child, but that dynamic, is really cool," Healy said."
Meanwhile, this marks another setback for the Capitals, following English batter Harry Brook's sudden withdrawal from the tournament.
Numbers
Rahul's IPL numbers at a glance
Across 132 IPL matches, the wicketkeeper batter has amassed 4,683 runs at an average of 45.47.
He also owns a strike rate of 134.61 alongside four hundreds and 37 fifties and a high score of 132*.
Meanwhile, in his last season with LSG in 2024, he amassed 520 runs in 14 matches at an average of 37.14 and a strike rate of 136.13.
He also smashed four fifties.