KL Rahul, who can undoubtedly be picked as one of the best Indian openers in IPL history since the day he made his debut as an opener, has now been released from his old franchise, the Lucknow Super Giants and is under the radar for teams like RCB.
ESPNcricinfo has released the retention list of players for LSG, which includes the likes of Nicholas Pooran, their only overseas player, and likely an option to step up as their skipper with prior international experience of leadership.
While also the likes of Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav and the two uncapped players, young Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan, are destined to be retained by the franchise ahead of the auction. This sets a clear indication towards the team to release players like KL Rahul, the veteran skipper, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, and opener QDK.
As many teams seem to be in the hunt for a wicketkeeper, KL Rahul brings the additional roles of skipper, batting experience, as well as opening batsman, which makes him one of the top priorities in the IPL mega-auction.
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Top franchises who might target KL Rahul in the mega-auction
Gujarat Titans
Though KL Rahul might be released by the Super Giants, the Gujarat Titans might look to be in the quest for a player like Rahul. The champions from 2022 are in the search for an opener alongside Gill, their most possible retention.
Also, Rahul, if appointed as the skipper, can be seen taking off a huge burden from the shoulders of Gill, who seems too inexperienced to take up the role of captaincy. Also sighting their huge purse based on limited retention, the Titans can sight-buying a player of Rahul’s caliber.
Punjab Kings
The franchise gave Rahul his modern-day status in the IPL, his home back in Mohali. Rahul played several seasons for the Punjab Kings between 2018 and 2021 as their skipper and held several orange caps despite not having the best performances from his team.
Rahul might be travelling back to his old team even if they need to pay a whopping bid for him, as PBKS are looking to reinforce a squad and are also in the hunt for a new skipper with Dhawan having retired from the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Virat Kohli-known side, RCB, might not part ways with their most globally informed batter and skipper, Faf Du Plessis, who recently won the Caribbean Premier League with St. Lucia, but would still be in the hunt for better batters to deck their lineup.
RCB struggled with their batters, especially in the middle order, as Rahul can be a very vital option who can score quick runs towards the back end once he is settled in, while there is no better batter under tough conditions with the white-ball. Rahul might be travelling back to his franchise, for which he made his debut back in 2013.
ALSO READ: KL Rahul showed the exit door; LSG ditches skipper KL Rahul for Nicholas Pooran
