Including DC, Rahul has played for 5 IPL franchises. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Parth Jindal said that he knew KL Rahul and his wife Athiya Shetty personally and had been friends with them for years. Jindal said that Rahul told him that he wants to win the IPL with DC and wants love and respect from the management and the fans. "He's very happy, very excited to be part of Delhi. He knows me for a long time. He's a Bangalore (Bengaluru) boy. I own Bengaluru FC (in the Indian Super League), so he's watched a few games with me. I know his wife Athiya (Shetty) really well. She's been a close family friend growing up in Mumbai. So he (Rahul) was like, "I just want to play cricket. I just want to get the love and support from the franchise. I just want to get the respect and I know Parth from you, I will get that and just can't be more excited to play for a friend and let's make Delhi win. I have never won (IPL). Delhi has never won. Let's do it together," Parth Jindal told ESPNcricinfo. Full list of sold and unsold players on Day 1 of IPL auction 2025 But who will captain Delhi in the IPL 2025? Jindal remained coy on the plans and said that there were two captaincy candidates - KL Rahul and Axar Patel and the final decision will be made after a meeting of owners and team management. Earlier, Jindal had said after the auction that the side. "We were looking for stability in the top order, someone with experience who can build the innings. And, I think KL Rahul, given his record in the IPL, he's someone who's consistently given more than 400 runs every season. I think with the Kotla wicket, it is going to suit his game. We're very excited to have him," Parth Jindal said after the auction. "We have a very young batting lineup. Both KL and Axar are going to lead them and are going to guide them. KL's batting and experience will be a vital cog in the wheel," he further explained.