KL Rahul finally break silence on decision to leave Punjab Kings

Team India star KL Rahul finally break silence on decision to leave Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. KL Rahul left Punjab Kings in search of new opportunities ahead of IPL 2022 after failing to lead the side to playoffs in two consecutive seasons as captain.

The retention list released by each of the franchises before the mega auction for the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) pointed out a major aspect that sometimes it is the players who opt not to be retained.

Sunrisers Hyderabad had to let go of David Warner and Rashid Khan and for Punjab Kings, it was their captain KL Rahul. Despite a phenomenal run a batter for the franchise, KL Rahul opted to part ways with Punjab at the end of IPL 2021 season and on Monday, he revealed why he took the decision.

Speaking to Red Bull Cricket, KL Rahul admitted that it was a tough decision but he wanted to know what else was in store for him. “I have been with them for four years and I’ve had a great run with them. Just wanted to see what’s in store for me and if there’s a new journey for me.

It was a tough call obviously. I have been attached to Punjab for a long time. I wanted to see if I can do something else,” he said. He was later chosen as Lucknow Super Giants’ draft pick before the auction and was also named their captain.

Speaking on Star Sports at the time of the IPL retention list announcement, PBKS head coach Anil Kumble revealed that the franchise did want to retain him but it was the India batter who wanted to leave the team. He said, “Obviously we wanted to retain him, that is one of the reasons we chose him as captain two years back. But he decided to go into the auction. We respect that, we honour his decision. It’s the player’s prerogative.”

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KL Rahul was roped in by Lucknow Super Giants in the players’ draft ahead of the mega auction for a whopping Rs 17 crore (INR 170 million), making him the joint highest-paid player alongside Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) superstar Virat Kohli. KL Rahul will be leading Lucknow Super Giants in their debut season in the IPL this year.