KL Rahul's future as LSG captain uncertain, Sanjiv Goenka says "still time to decide on captaincy" for IPL 2025

KL Rahul has captained LSG in three consecutive seasons but failed to reach the final.

Although the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka said KL Rahul is an “important and integral” part of the franchise’s family, he didn’t confirm that the cricketer will continue with the franchise next year, leaving aside confirming his captaincy status.

This added more spark to the already fuelled speculations about Rahul not being happy at LSG and wanting to leave ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction.

The discussions among the franchises have intensified about the IPL 2025 mega auction as in the coming weeks the BCCI will announce the retention policy.

Rahul, who had left the Punjab Kings’ captaincy and joined LSG ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, led the franchise to two consecutive playoffs finish in IPL 2022 and 2023 seasons but failed to reach the final. In IPL 2024, LSG were knocked out in the league stage, pipped over by RCB on net run rate.

During the tournament, Goenka had an animated discussion in public with Rahul after Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down the target of 166 runs in only 9.4 overs with all 10 wickets in hand as Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma blasted 14 sixes and 16 sixes in only 58 balls. Goenka confronted Rahul right after the game and looked to be asking questions.

I don’t want to comment on speculation: Sanjiv Goenka

Over the last month or so, reports have suggested that Rahul is looking to return to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

On Wednesday, Goenka conducted a press conference where he announced former India pacer Zaheer Khan as the new mentor of the franchise.

GoenkaGoenka fielded questions from the media about Rahul. When asked about retentions and whether there will be a change in captaincy, the LSG owner replied, “Still enough time to decide on retention and captaincy. Everything has to be very well thought out.”

When nudged about Rahul’s future at the franchise as a player and captain, Goenka said, “I don’t want to comment on speculation. All I will say is that KL Rahul is family.”

He added, “Rahul is an important and integral part of the Supergiants family.”

That Goenka didn’t confirm Rahul will lead the side and play for the franchise in IPL 2025 is already a huge indication that the cricketer and the franchise are thinking differently.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.