Star batsman KL Rahul’s uncertain future has left the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) unsure about his role in the team. Many reports suggest that Rahul will no longer play for LSG, and he will likely enter the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Rahul joined LSG in their debut season before the IPL 2022 mega auction, being bought for INR 17 crore. Along with him, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was signed for INR 9.2 crore, and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for INR 4 crore.
After moving from Punjab Kings, Rahul had an impressive start with LSG. As both captain and a top batter, he scored 616 runs in 15 matches, with a fantastic average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 135.38. His efforts helped LSG reach the playoffs, although they were knocked out in the Eliminator.
In IPL 2023, Rahul played only 9 matches, scoring 274 runs at an average of 34.25 and a strike rate of 113.22 before being ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury. LSG faced the same result, losing in the Eliminator.
Rahul returned for IPL 2024, scoring 520 runs with an average of 37.14 and a strike rate of 136.12. However, LSG couldn’t qualify for the playoffs and finished seventh.
In total, Rahul has played 38 matches for LSG, scoring 1410 runs with an average of 41.47 and a strike rate of 130.67. Despite being LSG’s only batter to cross 1000 runs, his strike rate has been criticized.
On May 8, 2024, LSG lost by 10 wickets to Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024. After the match, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen in a heated conversation with Rahul and head coach Justin Langer. This incident, caught on camera, upset fans who criticized Goenka for confronting Rahul publicly.
After this, many players and coaches commented on the issue, and reports began to suggest that the franchise was unhappy with Rahul’s captaincy.
According to ESPNcricinfo, KL Rahul is likely to leave LSG and enter the next IPL auction. Although LSG’s owner Sanjiv Goenka called Rahul “family” at a recent event in Kolkata, he didn’t confirm if Rahul would be retained. Rahul and LSG recently had a meeting, but Rahul didn’t commit to staying with the team, and a final decision is expected soon.
