Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has addressed the ongoing speculation about KL Rahul’s future with the team as the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction approaches. Rahul, who was bought by LSG for a whopping INR 17 crore before the IPL 2022 auction, has been a crucial player for the franchise since it was formed. However, after a disappointing 2024 season where LSG didn’t make it to the playoffs, there are doubts about whether Rahul will stay with the team.
Goenka’s Thoughts on Retention
During a press conference, Goenka expressed surprise at the attention this issue is receiving. He mentioned, “We haven’t thought about player retention yet because we’re waiting for the BCCI to announce the rules.”
Relationship Between Goenka and Rahul
The rumors intensified after LSG’s heavy 10-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2024 season. A video surfaced showing Goenka in a serious discussion with Rahul, sparking rumors of a fallout. Despite this, Goenka hosted Rahul for dinner in Kolkata, but talks about a strained relationship and Rahul’s possible departure from the team continued. Some reports even suggested that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Rahul’s former team, might be interested in bringing him back.
KL Rahul’s Importance to LSG
Goenka emphasized Rahul’s significance to LSG, saying, “KL has been a vital part of the Super Giants since the beginning. He’s played a key role, and to me, he’s like family.”
Goenka also noted that the team has time to make decisions regarding retention, as they are waiting for the official guidelines. He added, “We have September, October, and November to decide. The decisions we make now will affect us in the future, so they must be carefully considered.”
Changes in LSG’s Coaching Staff
Recently, the franchise confirmed the appointment of Zaheer Khan as a mentor and retained the services of head coach Justin Langer, assistant coach Lance Klusener, and fielding coach Jonty Rhodes.
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