3 reasons why DC signing KL Rahul for ₹14 crore in IPL 2025 Auction is a steal

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction is currently underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the bids are flying in from the franchises. The record for the biggest bid in the IPL Auction was broken not once but twice, first by Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings) and later by Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants).

While he was expected to be in the same price bracket as the likes of Rishabh and Shreyas at the auction, the Delhi Capitals (DC) snapped up the wicketkeeper-batter for ₹14 crore, and for a premier Indian batter in a mega auction, that number does grab quite a few eyeballs.

Fans, cricket experts, and pundits have expressed their thoughts on this matter, wondering how DC were given a free run to sign him for such a low price. He is arguably the first steal at this auction, and here are three reasons why.

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#3 DC roped Rahul in for nearly half the price of players similar in profile to him

The Delhi Capitals bid furiously for Shreyas Iyer and it was clear he was their first choice for captaincy. But once they lost out on him to the Punjab Kings for a whopping ₹26.75 crore, little did they know they'd sign a player of a similar profile, a marquee Indian batter, for nearly half the price.

While Rahul's strike rate issues have been debated quite a bit, he has tremendous potential as a T20 batter. And looking at the prices of players like Pant and Shreyas, getting KL in for ₹14 crore is an absolute steal for the Capitals. It also sets them up really well for the rest of the auction to build a terrific side for the next cycle.

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#2 His consistency in the IPL is unmatched

Despite the strike rate furore over his batting, KL Rahul has been one of the most consistent batters in IPL history and is always a reliable run-getter. He has the highest average of all batters in the league (min. 30 matches played), scoring more than 4500 runs at an average of 45.46. While his strike rate of 134.60 is a problem, he could do well as the anchor in that DC batting lineup, allowing the others to bat around him.

The usual worry when teams spend more than ₹10 crore for any player is their consistency and ability to deliver over multiple seasons in the IPL Auction cycle. But with KL Rahul, DC can be assured of consistent run-scoring across the next few seasons in the league.

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#1 He solves multiple problems for DC

Indian players usually cost way more in the IPL Mega Auctions than overseas options of the same positions. And for a player like KL Rahul to get sold for less than Jos Buttler (₹15.75 crore) indicates they've pulled off an absolute heist.

KL Rahul is an Indian opener, wicket-keeper, and an experienced captain. For a team like DC that are looking for a leader to head their project for the next cycle, you can't get someone better than Rahul purely because of the versatility he offers to the team.

Even they wouldn't have expected to buy an Indian captain for less than ₹15 crore. But some shrewd bidding to raise the prices of Pant and Shreyas Iyer followed by an inexplicable lack of raised paddles for Rahul helped them achieve the same.