India’s star batsman KL Rahul shares insights on the unique challenges of managing teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).The captain’s role involves being the on-field manager, chief strategist and team spokesperson while maintaining standards of personal performance. According to Rahul, the leadership responsibilities in IPL are more demanding as compared to international cricket.
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Rahul started his IPL journey in 2013 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and since then has played for four different teams. He currently represents the Delhi Capitals after being acquired the previous year.His captaincy journey started in 2020, after which he led Lucknow Super Giants for three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024.“As a captain, I found it difficult in the IPL, the number of meetings you needed to do, the number of reviews you needed to do and explain at the ownership level,” Rahul told Humans of Bombay.“I realized that at the end of the IPL, I am mentally and physically more exhausted than playing 10 months of international cricket.The 33-year-old cricketer highlighted the challenges both captains and coaches face in dealing with ownership groups that lack deep cricketing experience.“Coaches, captains are constantly asked a lot of questions,” he added. “Almost, after a point you feel like you’re being asked why you made this change? Why did he play in the eleven? Why did the opposition get 200 and we couldn’t even get 120? Why do their bowlers spin more?”Rahul now plays as a regular in the team for Delhi Capitals, relinquishing his captaincy duties.
