KL Rahul Reveals Why He Never Wants to Captain an IPL Team Again
KL Rahul says captaining an IPL team is mentally tougher than playing international cricket.
India’s star batter KL Rahul has made a candid revelation about his decision to step away from captaincy in the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying the role comes with a level of pressure greater than what players experience in international cricket. Speaking to broadcaster Jatin Sapru on Humans of Bombay, Rahul opened up about the challenges of leading a franchise, recalling how constant scrutiny and burden of accountability made the experience mentally exhausting.
The 33-year-old, who had led the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for three seasons, said the toughest part of being an IPL captain was not managing players on the field, but dealing with off-field expectations, especially from franchise owners and multiple stakeholders. “By the end of the IPL, I was more mentally and physically drained than after 10 months of international cricket,” Rahul said. He explained that in franchise cricket, every tactical call—from team selection to bowling changes—invites an unending chain of questions and reviews.
“What I found hard as a captain was explaining decisions at the ownership level,” Rahul added. “Coaches and captains are constantly being interrogated — ‘Why did you change the batting order?’ or ‘Why did the opposition score so many while we didn’t?’ After a while, it becomes overwhelming.” He also highlighted that such scrutiny rarely exists in international setups, where management and selectors, being former players themselves, understand the complexities of the game. “In international cricket, you’re only answerable to people who’ve played the sport. They know that even if you tick every box, victory isn’t guaranteed,” he said.
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Rahul’s reflections come after a turbulent stint with LSG, which notably included an on-field disagreement with team owner Sanjiv Goenka during the 2024 season. After parting ways with the franchise, Rahul was picked up by Delhi Capitals (DC) for Rs 14 crore in the 2025 mega auction. However, he chose not to captain the side, which was instead led by all-rounder Axar Patel. Despite the change, Rahul flourished with the bat and was retained by DC ahead of the 2026 IPL auction following a strong season.
With his comments, Rahul joins a growing list of top players who have highlighted the relentless demands of franchise cricket leadership. His remarks shed light on how the blurred line between sport and business in the IPL can often push players to their mental limits, prompting many to prioritize personal performance and longevity over high-pressure leadership roles.
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