KL Rahul opens up on captaincy challenges in IPL; ‘hard to explain to people who come from a non-sporting background’

Captaincy at the top level is certainly challenging. A leader has to be the on-field manager, the chief strategist and the primary public face of the team while maintaining their own performance, whether with the bat or ball or both. But leadership in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is more exhausting than in international cricket, according to KL Rahul.

One of the most versatile cricketers in Indian cricket, Rahul made his debut in IPL in 2013 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Over the next 12 years, the stylish right-hander shifted four bases. He is currently playing for Delhi Capitals, after being acquired last year.

Rahul's first tryst as an IPL captain came in 2020, when he was appointed as the leader of the pack. After that, the 33-year-old was named as the captain of Lucknow Super Giants for three seasons from 2022 to 2024. According to Rahul, captains in IPL are subject to constant answers from the ownership group, something that drains them mentally and physically.

“What I found hard as a captain in the IPL was the number of meetings that you needed to do, the number of reviews that you needed to do and explain at the ownership level,” Rahul told Humans of Bombay.

“I realised that at the end of IPL, I am more mentally and physically drained than playing 10 months of international cricket.” He feels that not only the captains, but coaches are also treated in the same manner by a group of people who have never played the game at a deeper level in their entire lives.

“Coaches, captains are constantly being asked a lot of questions. It almost, after a point, feels like you are being questioned as to 'why did you make this change? Why did he play in the XI? Why is it that the opposition got 200 and we couldn't even get 120? Why are their bowlers getting more spin?',” added Rahul, who hasn't taken captaincy at Delhi Capitals.

KL Rahul's bitter captaincy experience in IPL

Rahul had captained just two teams in IPL - Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Kings (LSG). After he led Punjab Kings in 34 games with 15 wins and 19 losses, Rahul joined LSG from the 2022 season. His first two seasons at the Lucknow franchise went pretty well with back-to-back playoff qualifications. However, things turned bitter in IPL 2024.

Rahul faced severe criticism in IPL 2024, especially after LSG's humiliating loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, who overhauled a target of 166 in just 9.4 overs without losing a wicket. In fact, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was also pictured having a heated, animated chat with Rahul just after the final ball was bowled. LSG finished seventh that season.

"These are questions that we never get asked throughout the year, right? Because the coaches who are there know what's going on. You are only answerable to the coaches and the selectors, who have all played cricket and understand the nuances of the game. There's nothing in sport that guarantees victory. So, that's hard to explain to people who come from a non-sporting background," Rahul concluded.