Cricket

KL Rahul, the former captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has shed light on his departure from the franchise, citing a desire for a fresh start and greater freedom on the field. Rahul's exit has sparked speculation about the reasons behind his departure, but he has clarified that it was his own decision to explore new opportunities."I wanted to start fresh, explore my options, and find a team where I could play with freedom," Rahul said in an interview with Star Sports. "Sometimes you just need to move away and find something good for yourself."Rahul's departure from LSG comes after a disappointing season for the team, which finished ninth in the IPL 2024 standings. The team's owner, Sanjiv Goenka, expressed frustration following their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, hinting at underlying tensions within the dressing room.Rahul, who captained LSG for three seasons, was notably absent from their retained players list for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. He is expected to be one of the most sought-after players in the auction, which will be held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.Despite his recent struggles, Rahul remains confident in his abilities and is determined to make a comeback to the Indian T20 team. He has been out of the national setup for over two years but believes that the upcoming IPL season will provide him with the platform to showcase his skills and earn a recall."I know where I stand as a player and I know what I need to do to get back," Rahul said. "I look forward to this IPL season to give me that platform to go back and enjoy my cricket. My aim is to obviously get back into the T20 team."Rahul's departure from LSG marks a significant change for the franchise, which will now need to find a new captain and rebuild its squad for the upcoming season. It remains to be seen whether Rahul will be able to find the success and freedom he seeks with a new team, but his determination to make a comeback to the Indian team is a testament to his resilience and ambition.

KL Rahul's inability to adapt to the evolving dynamics of T20 batting has cost him his retention at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The franchise has opted for Nicholas Pooran as their alpha finisher, a decision influenced by head coach Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan.LSG's decision was based on Rahul's poor strike rate over the past three years. His strike rates of 136.13, 113.23, and 135.38 were deemed unacceptable in today's T20 landscape, where even the Indian team has had to adjust its philosophy.In contrast, Pooran, who primarily bats in the back 10, has consistently maintained a high strike rate. His strike rates of 144.34, 172.95, and 178.21 in the past three seasons have impressed LSG's management.LSG also highlighted Pooran's leadership qualities and his popularity within the team. He has captained the West Indies and is seen as a natural leader.Meanwhile, Mayank Yadav's retention was based on his exceptional bowling abilities. He is the only bowler in the country with a strike rate of over 150. LSG believes that his talent will be an asset to the team despite his recent injury concerns.The article also mentions the ongoing suspense surrounding Rishabh Pant's future at Delhi Capitals. The franchise is yet to make a decision on his retention, with his future dependent on the level of autonomy granted to him by the management.

KL Rahul Departs Lucknow Super Giants Amidst Speculation and Interest from Multiple FranchisesKL Rahul, the former captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has officially parted ways with the franchise due to a combination of professional and personal reasons. The news comes after Rahul's meeting with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in Kolkata on August 26th, which initially sparked rumors of a potential contract extension.Sources close to the situation have revealed that LSG was prepared to offer Rahul a top retention bracket, but the batsman ultimately decided to move on. Rahul's departure leaves a significant void in the LSG lineup, as he has been a key figure for the franchise since its inception in 2022. Under his leadership, LSG reached the playoffs twice in three seasons.With Rahul now set to enter the auction pool, he is expected to be a highly sought-after commodity. Sources indicate that four franchises have already expressed interest in acquiring his services: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings. All four teams are likely to engage in a bidding war for Rahul, who not only brings exceptional batting skills but also offers valuable captaincy experience.Rahul's absence from India's T20 World Cup-winning team in June raised some eyebrows, but his vast experience in the format remains undeniable. He has played 72 T20Is for India, amassing 2265 runs at an impressive average of 37.75. His ability to anchor the innings and provide stability in the middle order makes him a valuable asset for any franchise.As the IPL auction approaches, Rahul's availability will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched storylines. With multiple teams vying for his signature, it remains to be seen which franchise will ultimately secure the services of this highly skilled and experienced batsman.

KL Rahul's future with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hangs in the balance as the franchise prepares for the upcoming IPL mega auction. Rahul, who has captained LSG since their inception in 2022, is unlikely to be retained and is expected to enter the auction pool.Despite being LSG's leading run-scorer in all three seasons, Rahul's strike rate has come under scrutiny. In IPL 2024, he averaged 136.12, which is below the league's average in recent seasons.Following LSG's disappointing seventh-place finish in IPL 2024, owner Sanjeev Goenka was seen having an animated conversation with Rahul on the field. While Goenka later clarified that the exchange was amicable, it sparked speculation about Rahul's future.At an event in August, Goenka referred to Rahul as "family" but remained non-committal on player retention. Sources indicate that Rahul has not yet committed to accepting a retention offer if one is made.The deadline for franchises to submit their retained player lists is October 31. Teams can retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals.Rahul's departure would be a significant blow to LSG, who have relied heavily on his batting prowess. However, the franchise may be looking to rebuild with a new captain and a more aggressive batting approach.

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 Lucknow Super Giants Exit Rumors Intensify Amidst Franchise DiscordLucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul's future with the franchise has become uncertain, with reports suggesting a potential exit before the 2025 Indian Premier League season. The rift between Rahul and the Lucknow-based franchise reportedly stems from an incident involving an animated discussion between franchise owner Sanjeev Goenka and the team skipper.Despite initial denials of any disagreement, sources indicate that the incident has significantly strained the relationship between the two parties. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Rahul's former team, is reportedly interested in reuniting with the opening batsman. However, it remains unclear whether Lucknow Super Giants will retain Rahul as their captain ahead of the upcoming mega auction.Rahul has led Lucknow Super Giants since their debut season in 2022, guiding them to consecutive playoff appearances. However, the team's performance in the knockout rounds has been disappointing, with early exits in both seasons. The 2024 season marked a low point for the franchise, as they finished seventh in the league standings.Rahul's departure from Lucknow Super Giants would be a significant blow to the team, given his leadership and batting prowess. The 31-year-old is one of the most consistent performers in the IPL, having scored over 6,000 runs in the tournament. His return to RCB would be a homecoming of sorts, as he played for the Bangalore-based franchise from 2013 to 2016.The potential exit of Rahul from Lucknow Super Giants adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming IPL season. With the mega auction set to take place, teams will be looking to bolster their squads with top-quality players. Rahul's availability will undoubtedly be a hot topic in the auction room, with several franchises likely to be interested in acquiring his services.

KL Rahul's Captaincy in Jeopardy as Lucknow Super Giants Face Playoff EliminationLucknow 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.