Will KL Rahul Play DC’s IPL 2025 Opener Against LSG? Answers Axar Patel

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is off to a thrilling start, and cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the fourth match of the tournament, which will see the Delhi Capitals (DC) lock horns with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Monday, March 24. This highly anticipated clash carries added intrigue as KL Rahul’s availability for the match remains uncertain.

Acquired by DC for a staggering ₹14 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, Rahul was expected to be one of their key batters this season. However, his participation in this encounter is in doubt due to a significant personal milestone—he and his wife, Athiya Shetty, are expecting their first child.

As a result, Axar Patel, the newly appointed DC captain, finds himself in a tricky situation ahead of their season opener. “Obviously, he joined the team. We don’t know yet if he’ll play. Right now, we don’t know if he is available or not,” Patel remarked during a pre-match press conference. This uncertainty has left fans speculating about its impact on DC’s lineup and overall strategy.

KL Rahul’s Potential Absence: A Major Setback for DC?

KL Rahul has been a pillar of consistency in the IPL over the years. As a seasoned T20 batter and one of India’s top performers in the format, his ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when required makes him an indispensable asset.

His potential absence would be a major blow for DC, who will be facing an LSG side boasting a formidable batting lineup. Adding to the drama, this match is not just any regular fixture—Rahul will be facing his former team, LSG, for the first time since his high-profile move to DC.

At the same time, the fixture also carries a significant emotional weight for Rishabh Pant, who was the face of Delhi Capitals for years before making a sensational switch to Lucknow Super Giants for a record ₹27 crores in the latest auction. The reunion of these two players with their former franchises adds an extra layer of intensity to the contest.

How Will DC Cope Without Rahul?

If KL Rahul is unavailable, DC will need to make critical adjustments to their batting order.

Faf du Plessis, one of the most experienced T20 batters, could be given the responsibility of opening the innings in Rahul’s absence.
Tristan Stubbs or Abhishek Porel may also be considered as additional batting reinforcements.
Jake Fraser-McGurk, known for his aggressive stroke play, might get a nod in the playing XI.

On the bowling front, DC’s recent acquisitions, Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan, will play a crucial role. The team will be heavily reliant on Starc’s fiery pace and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin magic to counter LSG’s deep batting order.

Lucknow Super Giants: The Rishabh Pant Era Begins

While DC grapples with KL Rahul’s availability, LSG begins a new chapter under Rishabh Pant’s leadership. After being acquired for a whopping ₹27 crores, Pant will be eager to make a statement in his first game as LSG captain.

LSG’s squad is packed with power hitters, including:

David Miller, a veteran T20 specialist known for finishing games under pressure.
Nicholas Pooran, one of the most destructive left-handed batters in the format.
Aiden Markram, who brings stability to the middle order.

With Mitchell Marsh and Shardul Thakur also in their ranks, LSG possesses a balanced mix of batting firepower and all-round depth.

Head-to-Head Record: Who Has the Edge?

Since LSG’s entry into the IPL in 2022, they have been one of the most consistent teams. Their battles with DC have been closely contested, making this matchup all the more exciting.

📊 Head-to-Head Stats:

Total Matches Played: 5
LSG Wins: 3
DC Wins: 2

With LSG holding the slight edge, DC will be eager to even the score this time around.

Key Players to Watch

Delhi Capitals (DC)

✔ Axar Patel (Captain): The all-rounder will play a crucial role with both bat and ball. His captaincy decisions will also be tested.
✔ Mitchell Starc: The Australian pacer is expected to lead DC’s bowling attack.
✔ Faf du Plessis: His ability to handle pressure and provide stability at the top will be vital.
✔ Kuldeep Yadav: His wrist spin could be a game-changer against LSG’s big hitters.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

✔ Rishabh Pant (Captain & Wicketkeeper): All eyes will be on the explosive left-hander in his first match for LSG.
✔ Nicholas Pooran: A dangerous middle-order batter capable of taking the game away.
✔ David Miller: A seasoned campaigner in the IPL, known for finishing matches with his power hitting.
✔ Shardul Thakur: A handy all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.

Match Details and Conditions

📅 Date: Monday, March 24, 2025
🏟️ Venue: ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM IST (2:00 PM GMT)

Pitch Report

The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam is known for high-scoring encounters, with a batting-friendly surface. The average first-innings score here is around 170 runs, making it a good chasing ground.

Weather Report

🌡 Temperature: 32°C
🌧 Conditions: Partly cloudy with minimal chances of rain.

Possible Playing XIs

Delhi Capitals (If KL Rahul Is Unavailable)

1️⃣ Faf du Plessis
2️⃣ Jake Fraser-McGurk
3️⃣ Tristan Stubbs
4️⃣ Axar Patel (C)
5️⃣ Abhishek Porel (WK)
6️⃣ Sameer Rizvi
7️⃣ Mitchell Starc
8️⃣ T Natarajan
9️⃣ Kuldeep Yadav
🔟 Mohit Sharma
1️⃣1️⃣ Mukesh Kumar

Lucknow Super Giants (Predicted XI)

1️⃣ Rishabh Pant (C & WK)
2️⃣ David Miller
3️⃣ Aiden Markram
4️⃣ Nicholas Pooran
5️⃣ Mitchell Marsh
6️⃣ Abdul Samad
7️⃣ Shardul Thakur
8️⃣ Ravi Bishnoi
9️⃣ Avesh Khan
🔟 Akash Deep
1️⃣1️⃣ Mayank Yadav

A Must-Watch IPL 2025 Clash!

As DC and LSG prepare to lock horns, the uncertainty surrounding KL Rahul adds extra suspense. While his absence could weaken DC’s batting, they have enough firepower to put up a strong fight.

On the other hand, LSG, under Rishabh Pant’s leadership, will look to capitalize on any weaknesses in DC’s lineup. With explosive hitters and a solid bowling attack, they are one of the strongest contenders this season.

🏏 Will DC overcome the challenge without KL Rahul, or will LSG start their campaign with a bang? All will be revealed when these two powerhouses take the field in Visakhapatnam!

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