Indian star batter KL Rahul has given a candid insight into why he does not want to captain an IPL team. Speaking in an interview, he said the role took a much heavier toll than many people realise. He described the experience as being more mentally and physically exhausting than a 10-month international season. He blamed constant questioning, meetings and pressure from franchise owners for making the role unsustainable.

Rahul, age 33, said that during his time as skipper of the Lucknow Super Giants he felt like he was “under interrogation”. He explained: “The hardest part was the number of meetings and reviews. I ended a season more drained than after 10 months of international cricket.” He noted that teammates and coaches often understand the game’s nuances, but the owners frequently asked “Why did you make that change? Why did we lose? Why did we bat this way?” Rahul said.

🎯 The Hidden Pressures of IPL Captaincy

Rahul’s remarks shed light on a rarely discussed side of IPL leadership—the off-field demands and franchise-culture dynamics. Unlike captaining at the national level, where most scrutiny comes from selectors and coaches, IPL skippers face questions from owners, sponsors and media about almost every tactical decision. Rahul said this constant scrutiny left less space for focusing on cricket itself.

He revealed that after his stint with the Lucknow Super Giants ended, he joined the Delhi Capitals for the 2025 mega auction. There, he chose not to take on captaincy duties and instead focused purely on batting. He believes that being a key player without leadership burden reduces the risk of burnout and helps him concentrate on performance.

🔍 Implications for Franchises and Players

Rahul’s comments may have ripple effects across the Indian Premier League ecosystem. For franchises, it shines a spotlight on how management roles and ownership expectations may wear out players faster. Some analysts believe teams will now prioritise reducing pressure on captains and offering clearer support structures. For players, Rahul’s choice signals a shift: leadership is no longer always the aspirational role—it may be the most draining.

Franchise owners and coaches may need to reassess how they structure leadership roles. Rahul implies that the job requires forgiveness for error, high resilience and constant explanation of decisions. When the business stakes are high and the owners are deeply involved, the captaincy becomes far more than just a cricketing job.

In the short term, runners-up and future captains may reflect on Rahul’s admission and decide whether the trade-off of captaincy is worth it. Meanwhile, Rahul continues to focus on his batting and staying healthy for India’s upcoming commitments.

With his blunt account, KL Rahul has lifted the lid on a pressure-filled side of the IPL captain’s role—one that demands far more off-field stamina than the public often realises.