KL Rahul's LSG exit confirmed as Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise launches search for new captain

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) face a major decision regarding KL Rahul's future with the team ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction. According to recent news reports, the Lucknow Super Giants are likely to release KL Rahul ahead of the mega auction, which is expected to take place later this year.

The Lucknow Super Giants signed Rahul for a whopping Rs 17 crore before the IPL 2022 mega-auction. The franchise owners appointed Rahul as captain before the IPL 2022. LSG reached the playoffs in their first two seasons but failed to advance in the most recent edition of the tournament.

The LSG team missed the IPL 2024 playoffs due to a poor net run rate (NRR), which worsened after a heavy defeat to SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). Sanjiv Goenka had a heated discussion with KL Rahul on the field after the match. SunRisers chased down a target of over 160 runs in just 10 overs.

KL Rahul To Be Released By Lucknow Super Giants?

The Karnataka-born cricketer recently met LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka at Goenka's office on Judges Court Road in Kolkata. The meeting hinted that Rahul might be retained by the franchise for the next season. However, Aajtak has reported that he is likely to enter the upcoming IPL mega auction.

Rahul has had mixed performances with the bat for LSG. He scored 616 runs in the IPL 2022, followed by 274 runs in 9 matches. Rahul scored 520 runs in 14 matches at an average of 37.14 and a strike rate of 136.12 in the IPL 2024. Rahul hasn't played a T20I for Team India since the 2022 T20 World Cup.

The IPL mega auction is expected to be held later this year. According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to allow teams six retentions, including Right to Match (RTM).

KL Rahul Is Integral Part Of The Super Giants Family - Sanjiv Goenka

Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka recently opened up about Rahul's future with the team. Goenka stated that Rahul is a crucial part of the LSG family, even though he did not address the rumors of the keeper-batter parting ways with the franchise.

"KL Rahul is an important and integral part of the Supergiants family. I don’t want to comment on speculation. All I will say is that Rahul is family," the LSG owner said (via Revsportz).

At the press conference, the Lucknow Super Giants announced that former Indian pacer and World Cup-winning player Zaheer Khan has joined the team as a mentor. Sanjiv Goenka also confirmed that Justin Langer will continue as the head coach of the Lucknow team for the upcoming season.

Zaheer Khan played for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals. He took 102 wickets in 100 matches with an economy rate of 7.58. After retiring from cricket, Khan served as the director of cricket and later as head of global development for the Mumbai Indians until 2022.

Also read: Shaheen Afridi releases a statement after being dropped from Pakistan team