IPL 2025: KL Rahul, Delhi Capitals' new recruit, has missed the franchise's opening encounter against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Monday (March 24). Rahul was unavailable for the match due to personal reasons. The star cricketer is expecting the birth of his first child and has received permission from the DC management to skip the contest against his former team, LSG.
The Indian batter hurried back to Mumbai on Sunday night after receiving news that his wife, Athiya Shetty, could give birth at any moment. However, he is expected to reunite with his Delhi Capitals teammates for their second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 30.
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"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," said a family friend of Rahul, as per a Cricbuzz report.
Earlier in the pre-match press conference, Axar Patel (DC captain) said that the team are unsure if Rahul will participate in the first game.
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"Obviously, he joined the team and we all know that he has a personal problem," Axar in the pre-match press conference on Sunday.
"So, we don't know yet. So, if he comes back, we ask him if he is okay and we'll let you know tomorrow morning. I think we've got to know and so, now we don't know if he is available or not."
Rahul was roped in the Delhi franchise for Rs 14 crore in the mega auction after getting released from the Lucknow Super Giants, a team he led as captain for three season. He has been in sensational form in the Champions Trophy.
Coming to the match, DC Axar Patel won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Lucknow Super Giants. Rishabh Pant was asked what he would have done if he won the toss and the left-handed batter said he wanted to bowl first as well but believes that his side can put up a good total.
"We are going to bowl first. It's the dew factor, we don't want to take any risk, that's why we are bowling first. I have played with Pant before, he knows me and I know him. We know our tricks," said Axar Patel after winning the toss.
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