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.

KL Rahul's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a subject of intense speculation following his recent comments about a potential move to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The rumors gained traction after a viral video emerged of Rahul engaging in a conversation with a fan who expressed his desire to see the star batsman join RCB.Rahul's IPL journey began with RCB in 2013, where he spent two seasons before moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2014 and 2015 campaigns. He returned to RCB in 2016 but missed the entire 2017 season due to injury. After his release from RCB, Rahul joined Punjab Kings, where he played from 2018 to 2021.In 2022, Rahul became the captain of the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise. Under his leadership, LSG reached the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023, but failed to advance beyond the knockout rounds. However, the team's performance dipped in 2024, finishing seventh in the league standings.Rahul's recent comments have fueled speculation that he may be considering a move to RCB ahead of the 2025 IPL season. In the viral video, a fan asked Rahul about the possibility of joining RCB, to which the batsman replied, "Let's hope so."If Rahul does make the switch to RCB, it would be a significant move for both the player and the franchise. Rahul is one of the most talented batsmen in the IPL, and his addition to RCB's already formidable lineup would make them a formidable force.However, it remains to be seen whether Rahul will actually leave LSG. He has been a key figure in the franchise's success, and it is unclear whether he would be willing to give up his captaincy and move to another team.

KL Rahul's leadership has been lauded by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fielding coach Jonty Rhodes, who praised Rahul's efforts since taking charge of the franchise in its inaugural season in 2022. Under Rahul's captaincy, LSG made it to the playoffs in the first two seasons but finished seventh in the 2024 edition, raising questions about his future with the team. However, discussions between team owner Sanjiv Goenka and Rahul about his potential retention have been reportedly positive.Rhodes, speaking to India Today, highlighted the challenges Rahul faced leading a new franchise and commended his ability to establish a competitive team culture. "I think if you look at a record as a captain of a brand-new franchise, getting into the playoffs every time like he has, it's been something that goes a long way towards his captaincy," Rhodes said. "The way that he leads the team and the sort of setup and the approach that he has."Rhodes noted that while other IPL captains like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have multiple trophies, Rahul's accomplishments with LSG should not be underestimated. "From LSG's point of view, it might just be one thing getting into the final, winning the trophy," Rhodes added, drawing parallels to Mumbai Indians' early struggles before their eventual success.Rhodes compared LSG's current phase to Mumbai Indians’ initial years in the IPL, where they did not make the playoffs in the first two seasons and only claimed their first title in 2013. "It then turns out MI didn't win a trophy for quite a few years at the start. Once they learned how to win trophies, they kept going," Rhodes explained. "I think from that point of view, he's done an excellent job at the helm, with a brand-new franchise, setting up a new culture, with new owners. And that I think is an indication of how well he's captained the team in a setup where there are players from all over the country in India who are very different and all over the world."LSG's ownership now faces critical decisions ahead of the upcoming mega auction as they decide whether to retain Rahul. Given the end of the three-year cycle, the team's management will need to weigh Rahul's past successes against recent setbacks to determine the franchise's path forward. Despite the recent seventh-place finish, Rhodes' remarks emphasize confidence in Rahul's capacity to lead LSG effectively.

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.

Lucknow Super Giants Captain KL Rahul Meets with Franchise Owner Sanjiv GoenkaLucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul recently met with team owner Sanjiv Goenka at the franchise's office in Kolkata. The meeting, which lasted approximately an hour, was the first formal interaction between the two since their animated conversation following LSG's loss to SunRisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on May 8.While the specifics of the discussion remain undisclosed, sources indicate that Rahul's retention was a key point of focus. Rahul has captained LSG for three seasons and has been a key figure in the team's success. However, with IPL retention talks gaining momentum, there has been speculation about Rahul's potential return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), his former franchise.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the official retention policy ahead of the December auction. It remains unclear how many players each team will be allowed to retain, and the Right to Match (RTM) option could also influence franchises' decisions regarding top retentions.Rahul's visit to Kolkata also coincides with news of the franchise's plans to bring in Zaheer Khan as a mentor. The former India pacer's appointment is expected to be confirmed soon. Zaheer will be working alongside Justin Langer, who will continue as head coach.Rahul's meeting with Goenka comes amidst a busy schedule for the cricketer. He was recently part of India's One Day International (ODI) squad that toured Sri Lanka and is set to compete in the Duleep Trophy in Bengaluru. In the Duleep Trophy, Rahul will represent Team A, captained by Shubman Gill.Neither Rahul, Goenka, nor any official from LSG provided immediate comments following the meeting. However, the meeting is seen as a positive sign for the franchise, which is looking to build on its success in the IPL.

VVS Laxman Eyed by Lucknow Super Giants for Coaching RoleLucknow Super Giants (LSG), the newest franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the services of former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman as part of its coaching staff. Laxman, who currently serves as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, is believed to be considering a move away from the academy.Sources close to the matter have indicated that Laxman may not seek an extension of his contract with the BCCI, which is set to expire in September. The BCCI had initially considered Laxman as a potential successor to Rahul Dravid as the head coach of Team India, but Laxman declined the offer due to his reluctance to travel extensively with the team.While nothing has been finalized, LSG management has reportedly held informal discussions with Laxman. The franchise is keen on adding his experience and expertise to its coaching staff. Laxman, who has a reputation as a highly respected and knowledgeable cricket mind, would be a valuable asset to any team.However, Laxman is said to be hesitant about continuing at the NCA, especially after relocating from Hyderabad. He has reportedly received interest from several franchises in recent months.If Laxman does decide to leave the NCA, former India batting coach Vikram Rathour is seen as a potential candidate to succeed him. Rathour has been involved in the BCCI ecosystem since 2012, serving as a national selector before joining Team India as batting coach.