Cricket fans still remember the time when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) offered KL Rahul the captaincy and wicketkeeper-batsman position before IPL 2022.
MS Dhoni had stepped down from leadership, and CSK felt that only a calm and composed player like Rahul could replace him.
He was not only a brilliant batsman but also a wicketkeeper, which would have been a bonus for the team.
But Rahul turned down this big opportunity. This decision came as a surprise to both CSK and Dhoni, as plans were already built around Rahul.
KL Rahul Rejected Dhoni’s Captaincy Plan, CSK Paid the Price?
After Rahul’s refusal, CSK appointed Ravindra Jadeja as captain. But things didn’t go as planned.
Jadeja struggled with form and captaincy pressure, and Dhoni had to take over the reins midway through the season.
According to reports, KL Rahul received a direct offer from Chennai Super Kings to join the team as wicketkeeper-batter and captain. CSK made this offer to Rahul before appointing Ravindra Jadeja as captain for IPL 2022.
CSK had approached Rahul even before the debut of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), but he left with the new franchise.
On the other hand, Rahul led LSG to the playoffs in two consecutive seasons. However, after a dispute with owner Sanjiv Goka, he left the team and joined Delhi Capitals as a batsman only.
Delhi even offered him the captaincy, but Rahul declined. Reports say he decided to focus on batting.
Rahul’s IPL journey
Rahul’s IPL journey has been remarkable. He has played for five franchises since 2013, scoring over 500 runs in seven seasons.
He is the only player to have scored centuries for three different teams. Hit. In 2024, he became the fastest player to reach 5,000 runs.
But the 2023 season was a bad one, when he suffered a thigh injury against Royal Challengers Bangalore. He had to undergo surgery for a tendon tear, and the season was cut short.
On the “2 Sloggers” podcast, Rahul said, “It (the worst IPL season) was only one year. In 2022… oh yes, it was 2023 (after correcting himself)… a bad, bad year.”
Still, he never gave up. He played a major role in India’s victory in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Rahul is currently under scrutiny for IPL 2026. Many teams, including CSK, want him, but Rahul’s focus is solely on performance.
