Cricket

KL Rahul Reflects on Intense Exchange with LSG Owner After Humiliating IPL LossIndia 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.

Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq's recent comments have reignited memories of his infamous altercation with Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). The on-field spat between the two players became a major talking point of the tournament.During a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow, Kohli and Naveen engaged in a heated argument. The incident escalated when Gautam Gambhir, LSG's mentor at the time, intervened and clashed with Kohli.Following the incident, Naveen and Kohli met in Delhi during Afghanistan's ODI World Cup match against India in October 2023. The duo surprised fans by embracing and seemingly resolving their differences. However, the journey between the spat and the reunion was marked by Naveen's frequent digs at Kohli.In a recent interview with ESPNCricinfo, Naveen was asked a witty question: "Never eat a mango again or never take a five-for?" Naveen's amusing response was, "Never eat a mango again." He also expressed his preference to bat with Kohli rather than bowl to him.Naveen's comments come after he was released from LSG's squad ahead of the upcoming IPL season. LSG retained Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi, along with uncapped stars Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni.It remains to be seen whether RCB will target Naveen in the upcoming mega auctions. The young Afghan pacer's performances and his history with Kohli could make him an intriguing prospect for the Bangalore-based franchise.

LSG's Retention Strategy: Chopra Advocates Prioritizing Rahul, PooranFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has urged Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to prioritize retaining KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. In a detailed analysis on his YouTube channel, Chopra emphasized the crucial role these players have played for the franchise.KL Rahul: The Franchise CornerstoneChopra believes that KL Rahul should be LSG's top retention choice. As the team's captain and a prolific run-scorer, Rahul is indispensable to the franchise's success. "You want to make him the captain, and he is the face of the franchise," Chopra said. "You won't get him for 18 crores in any case. If KL Rahul goes to the auction, he will take 18 crores for sure, and you don't leave the captain in any case."Nicholas Pooran: A Consistent T20 ForceChopra also highlighted the importance of retaining Nicholas Pooran, who LSG acquired for Rs 16 crore in the previous auction. Pooran's consistent performances in T20 cricket have made him a valuable asset for the team. "The sort of performances he has given in T20 cricket—don’t even think about it, you have to retain him," Chopra added.Marcus Stoinis: The Game-ChangerFor the third retention, Chopra suggested Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. Stoinis was previously retained by LSG for 10 crores and has proven to be a game-changer with his all-around abilities. "He is that game-changer kind of a player," Chopra said.Mayank Yadav: A Potential Uncapped RetentionChopra also mentioned Mayank Yadav as a potential uncapped retention, depending on his performance in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Yadav's impressive batting form could earn him a place in LSG's retained squad.

Former South African cricketer and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fielding coach Jonty Rhodes has heaped praise on young Indian pacer Mayank Yadav, calling him the "Rolls Royce" of the IPL franchise. Yadav, a product of Delhi's Sonnet Cricket Club, made a stunning debut for LSG in IPL 2024, showcasing his raw pace and impressive skills.In his debut match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Yadav consistently bowled above 145 kmph and returned with figures of 3 for 27, including a top speed of 155.8 km/h. He continued to impress in the four matches he played for LSG, picking up four wickets with an economy of 6.99.However, Yadav's promising season was cut short by an injury against Gujarat Titans. He suffered a side strain, which was later confirmed as lower abdomen soreness, and was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.Despite the setback, Rhodes believes that Yadav has immense potential and is a valuable asset for LSG. "He's like the Rolls Royce of bowlers, similar to how we used to call Allan Donald a Rolls Royce," Rhodes said. "He had a whole season with the team and that's why the owners decided to keep him with the team."Rhodes emphasized the importance of managing Yadav's workload and ensuring that he is physically and mentally prepared for the rigors of the IPL. "He doesn't need to bowl 30 minutes every day in the nets," Rhodes said. "He just needs to top up to make sure that he from a mental and emotional point of view feels that he's ready."Rhodes also highlighted the challenges that Yadav faces as a young pacer bowling to some of the best batters in the world. "You've got pace, but you can't bowl in good areas or with good skill, the better players will hit you out the ground," he said.Rhodes expressed his hope that Yadav will remain fit and available for the entire IPL 2025 season, whether with LSG or another franchise. "There's a talent that is exciting," he concluded.

The recent incident involving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka and skipper KL Rahul has sparked widespread discussion. After LSG's 10-wicket loss to SunRisers Hyderabad, Goenka was seen having an animated conversation with Rahul and coach Justin Langer. The incident went viral on social media, with many criticizing Goenka's behavior.However, Langer has now shed light on the situation, revealing that the discussion was solely about the team's performance. "I was so surprised by the reaction," Langer said. "It was just about where our plan went wrong in the game, and it went wrong."Langer emphasized that both Goenka and Rahul are known for their calm demeanor, and the conversation was not as heated as it appeared. "When I saw there were some arms going about, I thought, 'Woah, I have never seen this before,'" Langer said. "But when I listened to the conversation, it was just about cricket talk."Despite the incident, Rahul remains the captain of LSG and led the team in their match against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday. Before the match, an image of Goenka hugging Rahul went viral, indicating that the situation has been resolved.The incident has raised questions about the role of owners in sports teams and the pressure they can put on players and coaches. However, Langer believes that the relationship between Goenka, Rahul, and himself is strong. "We are just laughing about it," Langer said. "It has been such an awesome relationship."

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.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) assistant coach Lance Klusener has downplayed the recent public outburst by team owner Sanjiv Goenka towards skipper KL Rahul, describing it as a "storm in a teacup." Klusener emphasized that he sees no issue with "robust discussions between two cricket lovers."Despite speculations about Rahul's future as LSG captain, Klusener stated that there have been "certainly no discussions around" the matter. He defended Rahul's performance, acknowledging that the IPL has been challenging for the opener due to the team's inconsistent batting."KL has got his own unique style which has made him a fantastic player," Klusener said. "This IPL has been exceptionally tough for him because we've kept losing wickets at stages which hasn't allowed him to kick on where he likes."Klusener expressed confidence that Rahul is capable of a big knock and that the team is supporting him. He also acknowledged that the bowling unit underperformed in their recent loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, but attributed it to a combination of exceptional batting and poor execution.With LSG's playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Klusener emphasized the need for consistency. "We've been just a little bit inconsistent by our own high standards," he said. "We just need to deal with the fact of where we are now and make sure that we become consistent."

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) unleashed an unprecedented batting onslaught to annihilate Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday. Openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma tore apart the LSG bowling attack, chasing down the 166-run target in a mere 45 minutes.Head and Sharma's explosive partnership of 148 runs off just 30 boundary deliveries (16 fours, 14 sixes) shattered numerous IPL records. They reached their respective half-centuries in just 16 and 19 balls, respectively, and continued their relentless assault to guide SRH to a comprehensive victory in under 10 overs.LSG's only moment of respite came in the first over, which yielded just 8 runs. However, Abhishek Sharma's dominance over Yash Thakur (4 consecutive boundaries) and Head's exploitation of Krishnappa Gowtham (22 runs off one over) set the tone for SRH's record-breaking chase.SRH's remarkable run-chase established several new milestones in IPL history:* Highest total after the first 10 overs: 167/0 (9.4 overs)* Winning with most balls to spare (100+ targets): 62 balls* Highest Powerplay total: 107/0* Fewest balls to a 100-run partnership: 30 ballsThe duo's blistering performance also highlighted SRH's resurgence under new captain Aiden Markram. After a disappointing start to the season, the Hyderabad-based franchise has now won two consecutive matches, showcasing their potential as a formidable force in the IPL.

Ramandeep Singh's Sensational Catch Stuns IPL 2024In a thrilling encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday, Ramandeep Singh etched his name in IPL history with an extraordinary catch that has been hailed as the "best catch of IPL 2024."During the second over of LSG's innings, young opener Arshin Kulkarni mistimed a swinging delivery from Mitchell Starc, sending the ball soaring high into the night sky. Ramandeep, who was initially nowhere near the ball, displayed incredible athleticism by sprinting a considerable distance before executing a full-body dive to complete the catch.The effort left commentators and fans alike in awe. Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri exclaimed, "That's up in the air, difficult chance...ohhhhh! What a catch! Is that the best catch of the IPL?" Former India star Deep Dasgupta echoed his sentiments, responding with an "Oh my God."Ramandeep's catch not only showcased his exceptional fielding skills but also played a crucial role in KKR's eventual victory. The visitors went on to restrict LSG to a modest total, with Sunil Narine top-scoring for KKR with 81 runs. Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy claimed three wickets each to guide KKR to a comfortable win.After the match, LSG captain KL Rahul acknowledged the brilliance of Ramandeep's catch. "That was a sensational catch," he said. "It was a difficult chance, but he made it look easy."Ramandeep's catch has become an instant viral sensation, with fans and experts alike praising his athleticism and skill. It is a testament to the high level of fielding that has become synonymous with the IPL, and it is sure to be remembered as one of the most iconic moments of the 2024 season.