Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka and captain KL Rahul have been in the headlines since the conclusion of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match between the teams took place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday (May 8).
LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka seemed unimpressed with the way Lucknow Super Giants played against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The KL Rahul-led team took a 10-wicket rout at the hands of the Pat Cummins-led team and that affected their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
After the match on the field, Sanjiv Goenka was seen chatting animatedly with KL Rahul. The franchise owner did not seem in a good mood. He lunged at the captain, who looked down and shook off the dust. The video circulated on the Internet and generated many debates.
However, after that, a PTI report claimed that KL Rahul would step down as team captain. Apart from that, it is also learned that Lucknow Super Giants are not interested in retaining the skipper and that he will participate in the IPL 2025 auction.
A source claims that the LSG management has not taken any decision so far, but would accept KL Rahul’s resignation as team captain. Speaking to PTI, he stated:
“There is a five-day gap before the next game against DC. As of now, no decision has been taken, but it is understood that if Rahul plans to focus only on his batting for the remaining two games, the management will not mind. “.
It is also learned that Nicholas Pooran will be the captain of the team for the rest of the Lucknow Super Giants tournament. The Caribbean batsman did the job earlier when the keeper-batsman was rested due to back problems early in the tournament.
Everything is fine between the two – Source on KL Rahul and Sanjiv Goenka
In the drastic turn of events, an IANS report suggested something different. A source close to Lucknow Super Giants claimed that everything is fine between KL Rahul and Sajiv Goenka and the wicketkeeper-batsman will continue to lead the team for the rest of the tournament. He stated:
“Everything is fine between the two and only Rahul will lead the team this season. There are all rumors that Rahul will be removed from the captaincy and will not be chosen in the auction. The last match did not go as we wanted, but now everything is fine between the team and the owners. Rahul is in good space and resting before the game against DC.”
Reports added that KL Rahul will head to Mumbai to spend some time with his family. He will join the team ahead of the match against Delhi Capitals, which will take place on Tuesday. It will be an important match for the team led by KL Rahul as to stay in the playoff race they need to win the match.