KL Rahul Reflects on Intense Exchange with LSG Owner After Humiliating IPL Loss
India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has shed light on the heated conversation he had with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka following the team’s crushing 10-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2024 IPL.
The loss shattered LSG’s playoff hopes, and Goenka’s visible displeasure after the match led to an animated exchange with Rahul along the boundary line. Rahul admitted that the incident was “not the nicest thing to be part of” and acknowledged its impact on the team.
“We were all in shock because every game was crucial at that stage,” Rahul said. “We had to win three out of five or two out of the last four games. When this happened, it was a big shock for us.”
Rahul emphasized that the conversation was not constructive and should have been held in private. “It did affect the entire group,” he said. “We still had a chance to make the playoffs, but unfortunately, our best wasn’t good enough.”
The exchange between Goenka and Rahul sparked controversy, with experts and fans criticizing the public nature of the discussion. Rahul acknowledged the criticism and expressed regret over the incident.
“I don’t know how much was made outside, but it was probably one of the worst games I’ve been part of,” Rahul said. “We watched on TV how dominating Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma were, but to see it from up close was ridiculous.”
LSG’s batting performance in the match was particularly disappointing, with Rahul scoring a sluggish 29 off 33. SRH’s openers, Head and Sharma, then tore into the LSG bowlers, chasing down the target of 166 runs in just 9.4 overs without losing a wicket.
Notably, LSG released Rahul in the IPL 2025 retentions day, ending their three-year association with the batter. Pooran became their biggest retention at Rs 21 crore, followed by Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav at Rs 11 crore each.
