Cricket

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, the dashing Indian opener, has been left out of the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, despite his impressive performance in the recent ODI World Cup. Rahul scored 452 runs in 11 matches at an average of 75.33, including one century and two fifties. However, he failed to make the cut for the T20 World Cup squad, which was won by Rohit Sharma-led Team India.Rahul's omission from the T20 World Cup squad has raised eyebrows, especially considering his recent form. He was also not considered for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which India won 4-1 under Shubman Gill's captaincy.However, the selectors have included Rahul for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting August 2 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This suggests that the selectors still believe in Rahul's abilities in the 50-over format.Rahul has been a consistent performer in ODIs, averaging over 50 in 75 matches. He has scored 2,820 runs, including seven centuries and 18 fifties. His last ODI appearance was against South Africa in December 2023, while his last T20I appearance was against England in November 2022.India will also play three T20Is on the Sri Lanka tour, but Rahul has been considered for ODIs only. This indicates that the selectors are not yet convinced of his T20 credentials.Rahul's omission from the T20 World Cup squad is a setback for the player, but he will be determined to prove his worth in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. He will be looking to score big runs and help India win the series.

KL Rahul's performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a subject of scrutiny, with some questioning his strike rate and overall impact on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). However, assistant coach Lance Klusener has defended Rahul, stating that the skipper has not performed "bad at all" and has been hindered by circumstances.Rahul, who is also the team's captain, has scored 465 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 136.36, including three fifties. Despite his efforts, LSG find themselves on the brink of elimination.Klusener believes that Rahul has had to curb his attacking instincts due to wickets falling around him. "We've lost wickets around him. We haven't allowed him to play his natural game," Klusener said.He added that Rahul has often had to rebuild the innings, which has prevented him from playing his natural, more aggressive game. "If you look at the circumstances, he's had to rebuild a lot of the time while he's been batting, so the batting group around him haven't done him too many favours either," Klusener said.Klusener also refused to put the blame on any specific reason as to why the team failed to perform up to its potential. "I'm a big believer that the bowling group plays a huge role in winning T20 games. But there's no blame at anyone's door," he said."It's just a consistency as a group that has led us down this year. We haven't scored enough runs and again, we haven't taken enough wickets as well. You put all that together and that's why you end up where we are on the log."Despite their struggles, Klusener said LSG still have a chance of making the IPL playoffs if they beat Mumbai Indians on Friday and other results go their way. "We're not resigned to any fact. We're just in a position where we can only make sure that we get over the line tomorrow. We've had enough opportunities over the course of the competition to make sure we don't have to rely on others," he said.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has launched a scathing attack on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul following their defeat to Delhi Capitals (DC) in their IPL 2024 match. Kaif criticized Rahul's decision to bowl first on a pitch where teams batting second have yet to win this season."Take the video analyst's computer and put it away. They didn't go with any numbers. 200 has not been chased here at all. I am telling you this year's numbers. In all four matches, the team batting first has won. You won the toss and said you would field first," Kaif said on Star Sports.Kaif also questioned the role of LSG's video analysts, suggesting that they failed to provide accurate information about the pitch conditions."You checked the pitch and felt that it had moisture. There was no moisture - 200 is scored here. The biggest mistake was the decision at the toss," he added.Kaif praised all-rounder Arshad Khan for his valiant effort, but lamented the overall performance of the LSG team."If you leave aside Arshad Khan's knock, it was a very bad defeat. Arshad saved your pride a little. I believe it was a horrible decision not to bat first here. KL Rahul disappointed a lot as a captain. You said you would play positive but you need to make positive decisions as well," he said.Kaif also pointed out that LSG missed a golden opportunity to boost their playoff hopes."You had everything to gain from this match. They had to lose or gain. If they had won, they could have reached 16 points. I believe it was an absolute flop show from Lucknow," he added.LSG's playoff hopes are now hanging by a thread. They need to win their last match by a significant margin and hope that two of CSK, SRH, and RCB lose their games by large margins.

KL Rahul's Stunning Catch Stuns Commentators and Fans in IPL 2024In a thrilling encounter between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Lucknow captain KL Rahul pulled off an extraordinary catch to dismiss Shai Hope. The incident occurred during the ninth over of DC's innings, when Hope attempted to smash a delivery from Ravi Bishnoi straight to Rahul at cover.Initially, Rahul appeared surprised by the ball's trajectory and spilled the catch. However, in a moment of brilliance, he dove forward and completed the catch before the ball hit the ground. The stadium erupted in applause, and LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen giving Rahul a standing ovation.The catch not only broke the partnership between Hope and Abishek Porel but also left commentators and fans stunned. Rahul's quick reflexes and athleticism were on full display, showcasing his exceptional fielding abilities.Despite Rahul's heroics, DC emerged victorious by 19 runs. Ishant Sharma claimed three wickets, while Tristan Stubbs and Porel scored half-centuries for LSG.After the match, Rahul expressed his disappointment with LSG's performance, particularly their struggles in the powerplay. "We keep losing a lot of wickets in the powerplay, we never get a solid start to get the likes of Stoinis and Pooran in," he said.DC captain Rishabh Pant remained optimistic about his team's chances of reaching the IPL playoffs. "We are still in contention even after the last game," he said. "We had a better chance of qualifying if I would have had a chance to play in the last game."

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant believes his one-match suspension for a slow-over rate offense may have cost his team a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs. Pant missed the crucial match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, which DC lost by 47 runs, impacting their net run rate."I wouldn't say we would have definitely won the game if I had played, but we had a better chance of qualifying if I had played in the last game," Pant said after DC's 19-run win over Lucknow Super Giants.DC's inconsistent start to the season was compounded by injuries to key players like Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, and David Warner. "We started the season with a lot of hope, but there were injuries and ups and downs," Pant said. "But as a franchise, you can't complain all the time; you have to make use of what you have."Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul attributed his team's struggles to losing wickets in the powerplay. "This has been a problem right through the season - we keep losing a lot of wickets in the powerplay, we never get a solid start to get the likes of Stoinis and Pooran in," Rahul said. "That is the big reason why we are in this position."DC's fate now depends on the results of other matches. If they qualify for the playoffs, they will face a tough challenge against the top teams.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul won the toss and elected to bowl first against Delhi Capitals (DC) in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) match in New Delhi on May 14. The match was a must-win for both teams, as they were fighting for a playoff spot.DC skipper Rishabh Pant returned to the side after serving a one-match suspension, while Gulbadin Naib also made a comeback. However, David Warner and Prithvi Shaw missed out due to injuries. LSG, on the other hand, brought in Arshad Khan and Yudhvir Singh Charak.LSG's decision to bowl first proved to be a good one, as they restricted DC to a modest total of 149/7 in their 20 overs. Avesh Khan was the pick of the bowlers for LSG, taking 3/30, while Mohsin Khan and Ravi Bishnoi chipped in with two wickets each.In reply, LSG got off to a solid start, with openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. However, DC fought back with regular wickets, and LSG found themselves in trouble at 103/5 in the 15th over.Marcus Stoinis and Deepak Hooda then came to the rescue for LSG, stitching together a crucial 46-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Stoinis played a blistering knock of 38 off 25 balls, while Hooda contributed with a steady 24 off 29 balls.With 10 runs needed off the final over, LSG's hopes rested on Krunal Pandya. The all-rounder held his nerve and hit a six off the first ball to seal a thrilling victory for his team.The win was a huge boost for LSG's playoff hopes, as they moved up to fourth place in the standings. DC, on the other hand, suffered a setback in their quest for a top-four finish.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka hosted a dinner for captain KL Rahul on Monday night, signaling a strong bond between the franchise and its skipper. A photo of the event, where Goenka is seen embracing Rahul, has garnered significant attention on social media.The dinner comes amidst a challenging season for LSG, who have struggled to maintain consistency in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the team will face a crucial match against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday.Rahul, who has been in and out of form this season, will be under immense pressure to deliver in the must-win game. The Indian opener has been a key player for LSG, but his recent performances have been underwhelming.Goenka's gesture of hosting Rahul for dinner is seen as a show of support and confidence in the captain. The franchise is eager to see Rahul regain his form and lead the team to success in the remaining matches of the IPL.Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals are also in a precarious position, having lost their last two matches. The team will be desperate to bounce back and keep their playoff hopes alive. The match between LSG and DC promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams fighting for their survival in the tournament.

KL Rahul's Struggles Under Scrutiny as Lucknow Super Giants Face Crucial ClashLucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul has come under intense scrutiny ahead of their pivotal match against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday. The team's recent loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad has raised concerns about Rahul's leadership and his own batting form.Rahul's T20 game has been underwhelming this season, with his 460 runs coming at a strike rate of 136. This has fallen short of expectations, especially given his exclusion from India's T20 World Cup squad. Critics have questioned his "lack of intent" and his inability to adapt to the power-hitting trends of modern T20 cricket.Despite the criticism, LSG management remains steadfast in their support of Rahul. Head coach Justin Langer has compared him to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, while assistant coach Lance Klusener has defended his approach at the top of the order.Klusener acknowledged that Rahul's role as an anchor has left the rest of the batting lineup with a heavy burden. However, he attributed Rahul's struggles to the team's frequent loss of wickets, which has prevented him from building momentum."It's been exceptionally tough for him this IPL because we've kept losing wickets, which hasn't allowed him to kick on," Klusener said. "He feels he is always having to rebuild."As Rahul prepares for the crucial match against Delhi Capitals, LSG hopes he can rediscover his form and lead the team to victory. The Kotla strip is known for its power-hitting potential, and a sedate Rahul could put LSG at a disadvantage.