Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul He has proven his worth as captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) over the past three years, receiving praise for KL Rahul’s leadership despite the team failing to make it to the playoffs in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Amid speculations about leadership changes, thanks to the IPL 2024 episode between KL Rahul and franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka, LSG’s fielding coach Jonty Rodas He praised the captain for his excellent captaincy, especially considering that the team only made its debut in 2022.
Jonty Rhodes praises KL Rahul’s captaincy amid speculation over LSG leadership
Jonty Rhodes was quoted by India Today as saying, “I think if you look at his record as captain of a new franchise, making the playoffs every time the way he has done, that has been something that contributes a lot to his captaincy, the way he leads the team and the kind of setup and approach he has.“
Under the captaincy of KL Rahul, LSG reached the LPI playoffs in his first two seasons, highlighting his leadership style and the focus he has instilled within the team, which impressed the Proteas further.
The way KL Rahul has managed the team, built a strong foundation and created a positive culture has led the South African great to compare him to some of the IPL’s most successful captains, including Rohit Sharma.
Rhodes further noted: “So, you know, looking at Rohit’s record as captain, Dhoni’s record as captain, the trophies those guys have won and the consistency they’ve had in winning trophies, from LSG’s point of view, it could be just one thing to get to the final, to win the trophy.”
He has done an excellent job in charge: Rhodes on Rahul
Although LSG is yet to get its hands on the coveted IPL trophy, Rhodes believes that the Lucknow-based franchise is on the verge of taking a big step forward. Comparing LSG’s journey with that of other successful franchises, the fielding coach has pointed out that even the most dominant teams took time to establish themselves before winning multiple titles.
Rhodes further praised KL Rahul for his efforts in building a diverse group of players and bringing together talent from across the country and abroad, which has laid the foundation for LSG’s future success in the tournament. He said that LSG has the potential to achieve its ultimate goal.
He concluded by saying: “It turns out that MI didn’t win any trophies for several years at the beginning. Once they learned how to win trophies, they kept going and kept going.”
“So, I think from that point of view, I think he’s done an excellent job at the helm, with a completely new franchise, establishing a new culture, with new ownership and I think that’s an indication of how well he’s captained the team in an environment where there are players from all over the country of India who are very different and from all over the world.”
As the franchise looks ahead to the mega IPL 2025 auction, there is uncertainty surrounding Rahul’s retention.
However, his contributions to the team’s development and his ability to lead a new franchise with so much promise could force LSG to retain Rahul as their captain for the upcoming season.
