India batter KL Rahul was picked up by Delhi Capitals at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction on Sunday, but his first public query to his new franchise boss Parth Jindal is one of a football opening at his Bengaluru FC franchise.
Jindal, the co-owner of the Delhi Capitals, is also the managing director of the JSW Group that owns the Bengaluru-based Indian Super League (ISL) franchise which was formed 11 years ago in 2013.
While Rahul was anticipated for a major reunion with his home-based IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the Capitals emerged as the keenest team to acquire the 32-year-old after his Lucknow Super Giants. Rahul was snapped up for Rs 14 crore and has emerged as one of the front-runners for captaincy at Delhi, besides offering versatility in the top-order.
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The India batter though has suggested that his adeptness can even spread out to football. Rahul took to Instagram and tagged Jindal in a clip from the recent Perth test where he was seen juggling the Kookaburra while fielding during the game. ‘@parthjindal, Got an opening at Bengaluru FC?,’ a cheeky Rahul wrote.
Besides the BFC franchise that won the ISL in 2018-19 and the Delhi Capitals, the JSW Group also owns SA20 cricket team Pretoria Capitals, ILT20 cricket team Dubai Capitals, Hockey India League (HIL) team Soorma HC, and the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) team Haryana Steelers.
Having acquired his services for the IPL 2025 said, Jindal said that he shares a good relationship with Rahul. I spoke to KL but haven’t met him yet. I know him very well personally, I will understand from him (what he thinks), and, it will boil down to what the coaching group and finally what Kiran (Grandhi, the co-owner) and I want to do. There’s a lot of time for that,” Jindal told ESPNcricinfo.
Rahul was instrumental in India’s 295-run win in Perth, having shown adept technique during his two opening stints, also forging a record 201-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second innings.
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