IPL 2025: Why Is KL Rahul Missing Delhi Capitals’ Clash Against LSG?

Delhi Capitals’ new 14 crore recruit KL Rahul is an absentee from his side’s first IPL 2025 clash against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24 (Monday) due to personal reasons. The Indian batter has headed back home, with him and his wife Athiya Shetty expecting their first child.

According to multiple reports, the 32-year-old trained with the team on Sunday but left the squad just before the match.

"He has returned home to be with his wife, as the baby is expected any time. However, he is certain to be available for the team's next game," one of Rahul’s close family friends told Cricbuzz.

The DC vs LSG clash was a much-awaited one as it was supposed to see Rahul go up against his former franchise, but he has now been replaced in DC’s XI by former CSK star Sameer Rizvi. 

Newly-appointed skipper Axar Patel won the toss for DC and opted to bowl first. Among those debuting for the Capitals is Mitchell Starc, who won the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last season.