NEW DELHI: India cricketer KL Rahul found himself in a lighthearted but challenging situation during a recent interview. He was asked to choose his preferred IPL 2025 teammate from a group of exceptional players: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni. Rahul’s response reflected the difficulty of the question.
“I don’t know. It’s a tough one. This is a real pickle you have put me in. I have enjoyed playing with all of them. Very tough to answer,” Rahul replied. This intriguing scenario unfolded during a segment called “KL in a Pickle” on Star Sports.
During the same segment of the interview, Rahul said that he would pick his preferred batting position as ‘floater’ instead of opener or finisher.Rahul, who was released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after leading the team from 2022 to 2024, is set to enter the upcoming IPL mega auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, the highest possible.
As captain of LSG for three seasons, Rahul guided the team to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. However, the team’s performance dipped in 2024, leading to a seventh-place finish.

Despite his departure from LSG, Rahul clarified that while he doesn’t actively seek captaincy, he is open to taking on the role if presented with the opportunity, based on his leadership experience.
“I would never go and ask someone for it. If you feel that my leadership skills are good enough… and the way I handled my team in the last four to five years… If you find it worthy, then of course I am happy to do it,” Rahul said.
Rahul’s primary focus is to be part of a team with a positive and supportive environment, working together towards the ultimate goal of winning the IPL. He believes that a collective and unified approach is crucial for success in a tournament as competitive as the IPL.
The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction will be a significant event for both Rahul and the franchises. His experience, batting prowess, and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset.