Rahul led the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the last three editions but he was released by the franchise ahead of the auction. He was bought by Delhi for Rs 14 crore after letting go of their star wicketkeeper-batter and captain Rishabh Pant. However, Rahul will only be limited to behind the stumps duty after Delhi named Axar Patel as their new captain for the season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The auction was a nerve-wracking experience. As a player, not knowing which team you will end up with is never easy. Over the years, I\u2019ve seen how unpredictable auctions can be - there\u2019s no fixed pattern to how things unfold. Having been a captain for the last three seasons, I have been actively involved in the process of building a team. I understand the kind of pressure franchises face when assembling a squad. But from a player's perspective, it\u2019s even tougher because your career is at stake,\" Rahul said while speaking on JioHotstar's Superstars.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The auction can shape a player's future or present unexpected challenges. I was definitely nervous, even a little anxious. But at the same time, I knew this was the right step for my career. There was excitement too, though it didn\u2019t last very long because reality set in quickly. I\u2019m really happy to be joining Delhi Capitals. Parth Jindal, the team\u2019s owner, is a close friend, and we have spent a lot of time outside of cricket discussing various things. I know how passionate he is about the sport and I\u2019m thrilled to be a part of this team. We have a strong squad, and I\u2019m looking forward to the season ahead,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Commenting on the team combination, Rahul feels Delhi have a solid squad that boasts a great combination of experienced players and young talent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"This will be a new experience for me - joining a new franchise, possibly my fourth or fifth team in the IPL. I feel both excited and a little nervous. Every time you step into a new team environment, a lot of thoughts cross your mind - how the players will be, how the owners run the team, how the fans will respond - all of that. So, it's a mix of emotions. Looking at the squad and how the management has built the team, it looks like a well-balanced side with most areas covered,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"There\u2019s a great combination of experienced players and young talent, and I\u2019m excited to play alongside some incredibly skilled youngsters and learn from them as well. With players like Mitchell Starc, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, many of whom I have played with before, we have a solid squad. I can\u2019t wait for the IPL to begin, the 32-year-old added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"This will be a new experience for me - joining a new franchise, possibly my fourth or fifth team in the IPL. I feel both excited and a little nervous. Every time you step into a new team environment, a lot of thoughts cross your mind - how the players will be, how the owners run the team, how the fans will respond - all of that. So, it's a mix of emotions. Looking at the squad and how the management has built the team, it looks like a well-balanced side with most areas covered,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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