KL Rahul looks set to make a sensational return to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. The wicketkeeper-batter has been captaining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) since the franchise's debut season in 2022 and led the side to the playoffs on two occasions in three seasons. Rahul had a tough time in the LSG shirt in IPL 2024 where he not only failed to take the side to the playoffs. What was more is that the 32-year-old faced the wrath of LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in public after his team had been handed an embarrassing loss by Sunrisers Hyderabad. With the mega auction coming up, a move like this can be expected from the LSG camp, which might seek a change of guard. Rishabh Pant is Not Joining CSK! Delhi Capitals Set to Retain Star Wicketkeeper-Batter Ahead of IPL 2025, Say Reports.

Both Rahul and Goenka later on seemed to put behind this episode and focus on the remainder of the season, that incident gave rise to speculations that LSG might part ways with their captain before the next IPL season. According to a report in Dainik Jagran, Rahul will return to RCB after leaving LSG and take over the captaincy responsibilities of the franchise, replacing Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis did manage to take RCB to the playoffs in IPL 2024 on the back of a sensational winning run after a tough start but it is unlikely that the franchise would persist with him, given the fact that he is already 40 years. The South African, despite his age, continues to be one of the fittest cricketers, but RCB might look beyond him next season. Before the IPL 2025 season, there would be a mega-auction and once again, franchises would have to pick the players they want to retain ahead of the bidding event. Shreyas Iyer Likely to Receive New BCCI Central Contract Following Selection in India's ODI Squad For Sri Lanka Tour: Report.

If the move goes through, Rahul would return for a third stint with the franchise. Based out of Bengaluru, the right-hander had made his IPL debut for RCB in 2013 before joining Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2014. Rahul did return to RCB in 2016 but left the franchise in 2018. Speculations of Rahul not remaining with LSG next season also gained ground after leg-spinner Amit Mishra, a part of the franchise since 2022, said that the management could be looking for a different captain next season.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2024 10:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).