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The owner of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Sanjiv Goenka, has finally addressed the swirling rumors surrounding KL Rahul’s future with the franchise in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 edition. Despite the growing speculation, Goenka remained tight-lipped about the specifications, offering only a brief but telling remark.
Sanjiv Goenka addresses speculation surrounding KL Rahul’s future
Goenka said he won’t address the rumors, he considers Rahul as a family. “I don’t want to comment on speculation. All I will say is KL Rahul is family,” Goenka told Cricbuzz on Wednesday.
Goenka praised Rahul for his leadership of the Lucknow Super Giants, noting his commitment to winning since the team’s inception. While Rahul is an important part of the team, Goenka mentioned that decisions about retention are confidential and will be addressed in three months.
“He (Rahul) has been there since the inception of Lucknow Super Gants. He’s led us for three years. I have gone on record before and I have no hesitation in saying this again that he wanted to win. KL is an important part of the Super Giants family. As far as retention is concerned, I don’t know. It’s not something I’m going to discuss now. That has to be confidential. There are three months to decide on this,” said Goenka.
The LSG owner further mentioned that the retention policy of the BCCI is not yet known, and retention decisions will be made after the policy is announced in three months. He expressed support for continuing the mega-auction.
“We don’t even know what is going to be the retention policy of the BCCI. Let the BCCI announce the policy. Then we will have three months to decide. It’s too early to take a call on anything like that.”
However, Goenka, made it clear that he is for the continuation of the mega-auction. “Yes, it should be there,” he added.
This statement followed a much-anticipated meeting between LSG skipper and franchise owner Goenka at his office in Alipore, Kolkata. The meeting had been the subject of intense speculation, as fans and cricket analysts alike were eager to gain insight into the future of Rahul with the team. With the IPL 2025 season fast approaching, rumors had been swirling about whether the franchise would retain its star player, sparking widespread interest in the outcome of the talks.
Also READ: Fact Check: Did KL Rahul confirm his retirement from international cricket?
Uncertainty over Rahul’s retention
This development follows a turbulent few months for wicket-keeper batter, whose position in the team has been under scrutiny. The tension between Rahul and Goenka became particularly apparent during the 57th match of IPL 2024 between LSG and Sunrisers Hyderabad. A controversial incident during the game saw a heated exchange between the right handed batter and Goenka, captured in a video that quickly went viral on social media. The footage fueled speculations about a potential rift between the captain and the franchise owner, adding more pressure to an already tense situation.
Despite the controversy, Goenka’s latest remarks indicate that the franchise still holds Rahul in high regard. However, until the BCCI releases official guidelines regarding retention and purse regulations, LSG are likely to hold off on making any firm commitments regarding their star player’s future.
