KL Rahul returns to Delhi Capitals for the match against SRH

After Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals' (DC) opening match without KL Rahul, fans can expect his return for the second game against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 30.

Rahul was absent from the game against his former team, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), due to personal commitments as he and his wife, Athiya Shetty, recently welcomed their newborn daughter. In Rahul's absence, Delhi Capitals managed a narrow victory over LSG, with Ashutosh Sharma stepping up to guide the team.

Following the match, Rahul joined his teammates and appeared in high spirits during a team-bonding session.

The event was filled with light-hearted activities, where Rahul entertained players by mimicking the batting stance and accent of DC mentor Kevin Pietersen. He humorously asked, "Mate, any guesses?" drawing laughter from Pietersen himself.

Delhi Capitals celebrated Rahul and Athiya's new milestone with a touching video tribute. A video posted on DC's social media, captioned "Our family extends, our family celebrates," showcased teammates congratulating Rahul with a 'Mother's Lap Baby Swing' gesture.

The backdrop was filled with the tune of 'Meri duniya tu hi re' from the film Heyy Babyy, with skipper Axar Patel seen singing along. In response, Rahul commented, "Lads, this means so much to us, thanks a million."

Rahul's journey to Delhi Capitals came after the team acquired him for a substantial Rs 14 crore at the mega auction. This move followed a fallout with LSG's franchise owner Sanjeev Goenka at the conclusion of the 2024 season, leading to Rahul not being retained by his former team.

Now, donning the DC jersey, Rahul aims to make a mark in the T20 format, having already reclaimed his place in India's ODI and Test teams.

Rahul's prowess was on full display during India's victorious 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, where he played a pivotal role both as a wicketkeeper and a finisher.

Displaying remarkable consistency, he remained unbeaten in three out of four innings. His contributions, particularly in the knockout stage, were crucial, with scores of 42* and 34* helping India secure wins over Australia and New Zealand in the semi-finals and finals, respectively. Rahul's performances reiterate his value in any setup, as he prepares to bring that form to DC's IPL campaign.