Kolkata : Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjeev Goenka has refused to disclose whether KL Rahul will be retained in the line up ahead of IPL 2025, despite calling him an “important part of LSG family”.
There have been widespread speculations about Rahul’s retention in IPL 2025 in LSG camp. Some reports say that he’ll be released where other say the opposite.
KL Rahul’s captaincy & form were marked with criticisms after LSG failed to qualify for Playoffs for 1st time since their inception.
Heated rants of Goenka to Rahul was also seen after LSG’s defeat last year against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Speculations raised since then. However, Rahul was seen meeting Goenka some days earlier.
Goenka said he was a bit surprised because of the attention his last meeting with Rahul got.
“Look, I’ve been meeting KL regularly over the last three years. I’m a little surprised this meeting got so much attention. As I’ve said, we have not taken any call till the retention rules are out,” Goenka told reporters while unveiling Zaheer Khan as their team mentor.
He described Rahul as important part of LSG family since inception, but refused to disclose the decision to retain him.
“KL has been an integral and important part of the LSG family since inception. He’s played a very important role. He’s like family and will be family.”
When asked about player retention and captaincy, Goenka said they are yet to arrive at a decision and are waiting for the BCCI to release the rules regarding retention.
“We have all of September, October and November to decide that. Let the policies be out. We have not even thought about the team going forward, whether retention will be three-four-five or six, we have no clue,” Goenka said.
“Let us see, there is enough time, so bit by bit. Whatever decisions we take today will impact us for the medium term future, so it has to be very well thought out and considered”.
“There is enough time for it so it’s too early. Let the BCCI announce the policy first, then there will be discussions”, he concluded.
Rahul guided LSG to 2 playoffs since the franchise’s inception in 2022. However, last year Rahul’s captaincy and form didn’t click, as a result LSG ended at 7th place, failing to qualify for 1st time.
