Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka and captain KL Rahul have been in the headlines since the end of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match between the teams took place on Wednesday (May 8) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka seemed unimpressed with the way Lucknow Super Giants played against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The KL Rahul-led side was on the receiving end of a 10-wicket battle against the Pat Cummins-led side, which dented their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
After the match, Sanjiv Goenka was seen on the sidelines having a lively conversation with KL Rahul. The franchise owner didn’t seem to be in a good mood. He lashed out at the captain, who looked down and dusted himself off. The video made the rounds on the internet and sparked much debate.
However, after this, a PTI report said that KL Rahul would step down as captain of the team. Furthermore, it was also revealed that Lucknow Super Giants are not interested in retaining the captain and he will take part in the IPL 2025 auction.
A source claims that the LSG management has not taken any decision yet but they would accept KL Rahul’s resignation as captain of the team. Speaking to PTI, he stated:
“There are still five days until the next game against DC. No decision has been taken yet but it is understood that the management will not mind if Rahul plans to focus only on his batting in the remaining two matches.”
It was also announced that Nicholas Pooran will lead the Lucknow Super Giants team for the remainder of the tournament. The Caribbean batsman got the job done earlier when the keeper-batsman was sidelined early in the tournament due to back problems.
Everything is fine between the two – Source on KL Rahul and Sanjiv Goenka
In the drastic turn of events, a report in IANS suggested otherwise. A source close to Lucknow Super Giants claimed that everything is fine between KL Rahul and Sajiv Goenka and the keeper-batsman will continue to lead the team for the rest of the tournament. He explained:
“Everything is fine between the two and only Rahul will lead the team this season. There are only rumors that Rahul will be ousted from the captaincy and will not be selected in the auction. The last game didn’t go according to our wishes, but.” Everything is fine now between the team and the owners. Rahul has a good chance and is resting before the game against DC.
According to the reports, KL Rahul will be traveling to Mumbai to spend some time with his family. He will join the team ahead of the game against Delhi Capitals which will take place on Tuesday. It will be an important game for the KL Rahul-led team as to stay in the race for the playoffs, they need to win the game.