Tag: Lucknow

Star wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is set to be retained by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, but not as captain. Sources close to the franchise have confirmed that Rahul’s decision to step down from the captaincy stems from the pressure associated with the role, allowing him to focus on his batting performance.

The uncertainty surrounding the LSG captaincy has opened up a race between two prominent candidates: Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran. Both players have demonstrated strong leadership qualities and could potentially lead the team to success.

Rahul’s meeting with LSG CEO Sanjiv Goenka on Monday solidified his retention as a player, but the captaincy remains up for grabs. Sources indicate that Goenka has full confidence in Rahul’s abilities as a batter and believes he can make significant contributions to the team.

The LSG franchise is actively exploring its captaincy options, with Pandya and Pooran emerging as the frontrunners. Pandya, a seasoned all-rounder, has captained the Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022, while Pooran, a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, has led the West Indies in international cricket.

Rahul’s decision to step down as captain follows a disappointing IPL season for LSG, which failed to qualify for the playoffs despite a promising start. The team’s performance under Rahul’s leadership has been a subject of scrutiny, with some fans and experts questioning his tactical decisions.

After the IPL, Rahul’s form dipped, leading to his exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup squad. He is now eager to regain his place in the national team and believes that focusing solely on his batting will enhance his chances of selection.

The LSG franchise is expected to announce its captaincy decision in the coming weeks, as the IPL player retention deadline approaches. The appointment of a new captain will be crucial for the team’s success in the upcoming season.

KL Rahul’s Captaincy in Jeopardy as Lucknow Super Giants Face Playoff Elimination

Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) dismal performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad has cast a shadow over KL Rahul’s captaincy, with rumors swirling that he may step down to focus on his batting.

Despite being signed for a record Rs 17 crore, Rahul’s leadership has come under scrutiny due to LSG’s poor showing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The team’s chances of reaching the playoffs are virtually non-existent, and Rahul’s slow batting in the Powerplay has been a major concern.

Sources within the IPL suggest that Rahul may voluntarily relinquish the captaincy to improve his batting performance in the remaining two games. The management is reportedly open to this decision, given the team’s current situation.

Following LSG’s heavy defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, videos emerged on social media showing an agitated conversation between team owner Sanjiv Goenka and Rahul. The incident further fueled speculation about Rahul’s future as captain.

Rahul’s batting has been a major disappointment for LSG. In 12 games, he has scored 460 runs at a strike rate of 136.09. His slow starts have hindered the team’s momentum, particularly in the Powerplay.

Despite their mathematical chances of reaching the playoffs, LSG’s poor net run-rate (-0.760) makes it highly unlikely. If Rahul does step down, vice-captain Nicholas Pooran is likely to take over for the remaining two games.

Pooran has been LSG’s most impactful batter this season, scoring 306 runs at a strike rate of 154.55. His aggressive approach could provide the spark that LSG desperately needs.

KL Rahul, the current captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has opened up about his journey as a leader and the lessons he has learned along the way.

After captaining the Punjab Kings for two seasons without success, Rahul joined LSG and has led them to the playoffs in both seasons. He attributes his current success to trusting his instincts and building strong relationships with his team.

“Building a team is about players you pick, key positions you can’t afford to miss in the auction,” Rahul said. “First few years of me captaining, I am not shy to admit, I made a few mistakes as well.”

Rahul credits his current success to trusting his instincts, something he said he didn’t do enough in his initial days as a leader. He feels he has struck the right balance between backing his gut and listening to the advice of the team management.

“There is so much information coming as you captain. Which one to take and which one to not and see you have a gut feel which is against what the coaches are saying,” he said. “Initially, it was hard to go against that as culturally we are taught to respect the elders. Somehow things did not go according to plan and I was not being able to sleep. I have realised you need to build the trust and bond not only with the players but also with the coaches. We both want the same thing.”

Rahul also spoke about the leadership styles of current India skipper Rohit Sharma and predecessor Virat Kohli.

“Rohit brought sense of calmness in the dressing room. The passion remains the same. It also helps that people have understood their roles and have had enough time to adjust to those roles,” Rahul said. “Virat had already set the benchmark on how to be on the field and Rohit carried on with a bit of calmness.”

Rahul also labelled MS Dhoni and Kane Williamson as the true gentlemen of the game.