The announcement of the IPL 2025 schedule has set the stage for an intense showdown between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. As both players face a defining moment in their careers, they must now confront the very teams that lavished millions on them. The IPL 2025 season kicks off on March 22 with a match between Kolkata and RCB, but the crucial date for Pant and Rahul comes on March 24, when their new teams—Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants—square off against one another. This season promises to be particularly intriguing as these players must now compete against their former teams.
The Transfer of Pant and Rahul: What Money Can’t Buy?
In preparation for IPL 2025, a mega auction was held, resulting in significant financial maneuvers for Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Lucknow Super Giants secured Rishabh Pant for a staggering ₹27 crores, making him the most expensive player in this auction. Meanwhile, KL Rahul was acquired by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crores. Both players will also take on the role of captain for their respective new teams in IPL 2025. Thus, the very first match of the season will see them pitted against the teams they once led.
Facing Off Against Their Financial Backers
Seeing Pant go up against Delhi Capitals and Rahul take on Lucknow means they are now battling the very franchises that invested millions in them. Rishabh Pant had been with Delhi Capitals since 2016, amassing a remarkable earnings of around ₹73 crores. On the other hand, KL Rahul raked in approximately ₹54 crores during his three seasons with the Lucknow Super Giants. This financial backdrop only heightens the stakes for both players as they enter a new era in their careers.
The Clash of Giants in Visakhapatnam
The IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants will be held in Visakhapatnam, a venue that serves as the home ground for the Delhi franchise. Historically, the two teams have met five times in IPL history, with Lucknow winning three encounters, while Delhi claimed the other two. As both teams gear up for this fight, fans can expect a thrilling contest filled with drama, ambition, and the quest for supremacy.