Indian star KL Rahul was once approached by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to take over as their captain and wicketkeeper-batter in the Indian Premier League (IPL), long before he joined the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
The Chennai Super Kings had made a direct offer to Rahul right after MS Dhoni stepped down from the leadership role ahead of the IPL 2022 season.
The franchise saw the right-handed batter as the ideal successor to Dhoni, aiming to secure a calm and composed leader who could carry forward CSK’s winning legacy, and his wicketkeeping would have been a bonus for them.
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How KL Rahul’s refusal changed Chennai Super Kings’ leadership plans
However, Rahul reportedly turned down the high-profile offer made by the five-time IPL champions despite the huge opportunity it presented. His decision stunned the franchise and Dhoni, who must have recommended Rahul, as CSK had already prepared plans around his potential leadership.
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Following Rahul’s refusal, the Chennai Super Kings appointed Ravindra Jadeja as captain, but the move backfired as the Indian all-rounder struggled with form and captaincy pressure, forcing Dhoni to retake charge mid-season in the IPL 2022.
On the other hand, Rahul went on to lead Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) with remarkable success, taking the franchise to the playoffs in consecutive seasons. However, after the infamous spat with the LSG owner, Sanjiv Goenka, the Indian batter left the side and joined the Delhi Capitals purely as a batter.
When KL Rahul was offered CSK captaincy!!
As reported by Revsportz, ‘KL Rahul had a direct offer from Chennai Super Kings to join the side as the wicketkeeper-batter and captain. CSK made this offer to Rahul before appointing Ravindra Jadeja as captain for IPL 2022.
Even before the Lucknow Super Giants’ debut in the IPL, CSK directly contacted Rahul and offered captaincy, but he refused and joined the new franchise.
Well, the reason behind Rahul’s refusal to join the CSK remains a mystery, as he shares a great bond with Dhoni, having shared the Indian dressing room. He has always expressed his admiration for Dhoni, describing him as a mentor. Rahul is also a fan of the legendary cricketer’s leadership style.
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KL Rahul’s inspiring IPL journey
Meanwhile, KL Rahul’s IPL journey is a story of remarkable adaptability, unmatched consistency, and sheer determination. Over the years, the stylish wicketkeeper-batter has proven that no matter the team, role, or management, he finds a way to shine.
Having represented five different franchises since his debut in 2013, Rahul has mastered the art of thriving under any circumstance. Well, it was his incredible consistency that impressed everyone as he crossed 500 runs in seven IPL seasons.
Rahul is the only cricketer to score centuries for three different IPL teams. In 2024, he reached another historic milestone, becoming the fastest player in IPL history to complete 5,000 runs, but Rahul’s journey hasn’t been without heartbreak.
KL Rahul opens up about his worst IPL season
His 2023 campaign turned into a nightmare after a serious thigh injury during a clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The tendon tear required surgery, cutting his season short, and it was the worst season of his career, as revealed by the cricketer himself.
Rahul said on the “2 Sloggers” podcast: “It (the worst IPL season) was only one year. In 2022… oh yes, it was 2023 (after correcting himself)…a bad, bad year.”
