KL Rahul Likely to Leave LSG Ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction
KL Rahul, the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) since IPL 2022, is expected to part ways with the franchise ahead of the upcoming mega auction for the 2025 season. Speculation around his future with the team has been building since LSG’s seventh-place finish in the IPL 2024, a significant drop after making the playoffs in their first two seasons.
Questions Surround Rahul’s Retention
Rahul’s future with LSG has been uncertain, sparking various questions: Will LSG retain their captain? Does Rahul want to stay? Will the team continue with him but assign a new captain? These questions have been circulating ever since LSG’s performance dipped in 2024, leaving fans and analysts curious about the next move.
Consistent Run-Getter but Strike Rate Concerns
Rahul has been LSG’s leading scorer over the last three seasons. In IPL 2022, he was the second-highest run-scorer with 616 runs. Despite missing the second half of IPL 2023 due to injury, he bounced back in IPL 2024 to top LSG’s run charts again with 520 runs. However, his strike rate of 136.12 in IPL 2024 has been a point of concern, especially with the rise in scoring rates across the league in recent seasons.
Tensions Surface After Defeat Against SRH
After a heavy loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad last season, LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka was seen having an intense conversation with Rahul on the field, leading to speculation about Rahul’s future with the team. Although Goenka reportedly reassured the squad that his conversation with Rahul was amicable, rumors of a potential exit have continued to grow.
Rahul’s Future in Limbo
At an event in Kolkata in August, where former India pacer Zaheer Khan was introduced as LSG’s mentor, Goenka described Rahul as “family.” However, he did not provide any clear answers regarding Rahul’s retention. It is believed that Rahul has not yet committed to staying with the team if a retention offer is made, leaving his future in limbo.
Retention Deadline Looms
The deadline for the ten IPL franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31, with teams allowed to retain up to six players ahead of the mega auction. A decision on whether Rahul will stay with LSG or enter the auction pool is expected in the coming days, keeping fans eagerly awaiting the outcome.(live score cricket ipl)