IPL More Mentally, Physically Draining Than International Cricket: KL Rahul

Over the years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has grown in stature and is considered the best T20 league in the world. Understandably, the players are also under immense pressure to perform, not just to stay in the reckoning for the franchise but also to make a push to be considered for international cricket.

For the captains and the coaches, the pressure to deliver in every single match is immense, not just on the field, but at times, even off it. India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul explained one such scenario when he was captain, in fact going on to say that the IPL is more challenging than months of international cricket.

"What I found hard as a captain in the IPL was the number of meetings that you needed to do, the number of reviews that you needed to do and explain at the ownership level," Rahul told Humans of Bombay, as per Times of India.

"I realised that at the end of IPL, I am more mentally and physically drained than playing 10 months of international cricket."

Rahul's captaincy stint at the IPL started with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2020 and then he also led Sanjiv Goenka-owned Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) between 2022 and 2024, during which the duo were involved in a heated argument, which was caught on camera.

Rahul then decided to go into the auction and was bought by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 14 crore, but did not lead the side as Axar Patel was handed the reins following Rishabh Pant's exit. "Coaches, captains are constantly being asked a lot of questions," Rahul further elaborated.

"It almost, after a point, feels like you are being questioned as to 'why did you make this change? Why did he play in the XI? Why is it that the opposition got 200 and we couldn't even get 120? Why are their bowlers getting more spin?'"

Despite rumours that he could be released, the 33-year-old was retained by DC, along with other key players like Axar, Mitchell Starc and Tristan Stubbs, among others.