IPL 2025: KL Rahul likely to miss Delhi Capitals' first two games as he awaits arrival of his first child

The 2025 edition of IPL will mark a fresh start for Rahul in the cash-rich tournament.

India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul could miss the first two matches of his IPL team in the 2025 season as he is expecting his first child with wife Athiya Shetty.

The IPL 2025 will mark a fresh start for Rahul in the cash-rich tournament as he will link up with the Delhi Capitals (DC). He was signed for INR 14 crore at the mega-auction last November, following his release from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

The star cricketer, who has been a vital figure in India's ODI and Test setup, announced the pregnancy just days after the side's triumphant Champions Trophy campaign earlier this month.

According to Australia women's captain Alyssa Healy, who joined the Capitals camp earlier this week, Rahul might not be available for the first couple of games.

Healy made the revelation while previewing the franchise on YouTube channel LiSTNR Sport.

“No Harry Brook, (so) it will be interesting to see who the replacement player will be. They have KL Rahul, who will probably not play the first couple of games I think... they are awaiting the birth of (their) child, but that dynamic, is really cool,” Healy said.

“They have that power in the young guys but they also have a KL Rahul who can stitch the innings in T20 cricket. He's going to be really exciting to watch.”

KL Rahul finds himself in unfamiliar territory this time around in the IPL, moving away from his long-standing role as a captain.

The Capitals have entrusted Axar Patel for the leadership role, with Faf du Plessis being named his deputy. Some reports recently claimed that Rahul was approached for captaincy but he declined the offer, choosing instead to focus on his batting.

Rumours are rife that Rahul’s batting order will also change in the 18th edition of the IPL. His exposure as a middle-order batter in the IPL is limited. During the IPL 2016 season, he played a crucial role in the middle order, helping RCB reach the final. He has played 33 matches outside the opening slot, scoring 500 runs at an average of 29.41 and a strike rate of 117.92.

Overall, KL Rahul has 4,683 runs to his name in the IPL from 123 innings at an average of 45.46 and a strike rate of 134.60.