RAHUL'S CAPITAL TOUCH

After below-par last year at Lucknow, senior pro, who was signed by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore, shows signs of a promising new chapter with match-winning knock against CSK

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @Chennai

HEAD of the auctions earlier this year, KL Rahul spoke with rare candour. In an interview aired on Star Sports after he was released by Lucknow Super Giants, he had stressed on words like 'freedom' and wanting to play in a 'balanced environment'. While he didn't say those traits were lacking at his former franchise, it was clear he thought he needed a change of scenery. "I just want to be part of a team that has a good environment," he had said. "You feel loved, cared for and respected in that environment...that's a perfect fit."

While Rahul and Sanjiv Goenka, chair of the RPSG Group, owners of the Lucknow side, have not spoken about their very animated public discussion following a match at last year's IPL, the situation had felt untenable from that point.

As soon as Delhi bagged the 32-year-old at the auction, there was a multi-layered charm offensive to welcome their new signing. Parth Jindal, one of the team's owners, welcomed him. Others too made him feel at 'home'. When the opener reported to the franchise post the Champions Trophy, there was a special video package with the message 'You are loved. You are ours. You are home'.