Mumbai: Indian cricketer KL Rahul has revealed that leading an IPL franchise is often more mentally exhausting than playing international cricket. The 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batter said that the scrutiny and constant questioning at the franchise level can leave players “mentally and physically drained.”
Rahul, who captained Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from 2022 to 2024, faced intense public attention during his time with the franchise, including a widely-discussed on-field exchange with team owner Sanjiv Goenka during IPL 2024. He ended his stint with LSG after the season.
“Feels Like You’re Being Interrogated” – Rahul
In a conversation with Jatin Sapru for Humans of Bombay, Rahul described the demands of IPL captaincy as extremely taxing:
“What I found hard as a captain in the IPL was the number of meetings and reviews. By the end of the IPL, I was more mentally and physically drained than after 10 months of international cricket.”
Rahul revealed that decisions are repeatedly questioned by owners and management personnel who may not fully understand cricketing strategy:
“After a point, it feels like being interrogated — why make this change, why that playing XI, why they scored 200 when we made 120? Coaches and captains are constantly questioned.”
“In International Cricket, You’re Only Answerable to People Who Understand the Game”
Rahul highlighted the contrast between IPL dynamics and Team India’s environment:
“In international cricket, coaches and selectors understand the game. You don’t get questioned like this throughout the year.”
He added that despite ticking all boxes, no team can guarantee victory, a reality that outsiders sometimes fail to grasp.
New Chapter With Delhi Capitals
After leaving LSG, Rahul was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. He opted not to take captaincy, with Axar Patel leading the side instead. Following an impressive season, DC retained Rahul ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, marking the beginning of a new phase in his IPL journey.
