The inaugural Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth is justifiably receiving all of the focus, but the IPL 2025 super auction in Jeddah on November 24 and 25 will also be closely watched.

Where KL Rahul will wind up at the auction will be of great interest, particularly because the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) did not keep him. Rahul, an IPL veteran who has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings, has said that he always puts the team first.

“As players, we all want to play freely, and everyone would assume that I was having fun with the manner I batted. But like I said, I’ve always been motivated and think team first. What I want to accomplish or what my natural game is is irrelevant.

We participate in a team sport. It would be different if I played tennis; I could continue to argue, ‘This is my natural game.’ However, it’s rather different in a team sport. Rahul told Star Sports, “You’ll be given a different role and responsibility for each game to figure out how to deliver for the team.”

Rahul hasn’t participated in Twenty20 Internationals for India since the Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. He plans to return to the national squad in the IPL 2025, regardless of which club he plays for. Rahul has scored 2,265 runs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 139.12 in 72 Twenty20 Internationals for India, including two hundreds and 22 fifties.

“Obviously, my goal is to rejoin the T20 squad. My ambition and motivation to become an all-format player have remained constant throughout the years. I have played for India for many years and would want to continue doing so in all three forms.

“I know where I am as a player and what I need to accomplish to get back into the T20 squad after being away from it for a time. I thus hope that this IPL season will provide me with the opportunity to enjoy cricket and play the manner I want to,” he said.