In a massive update ahead of Lucknow Super Giant’s next IPL 2024 fixture, opener batter and captain KL Rahul is speculated to step down from the captaincy of LSG. The reports have flooded the market after KL Rahul was seen having a feud with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka a couple of nights ago.
The widely accepted thought is that KL Rahul might voluntarily step down from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captaincy with immediate effect. With two matches remaining in LSG’s IPL 2024 campaign, KL Rahul may look to concentrate on his batting prowesses, leaving behind the baggage of leading the side.
The speculations have surfaced after KL Rahul-led LSG faced a humiliating defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The embarrassing 10-wicket defeat in just 9.4 overs resulted in LSG’s oust (practically) from the IPL 2024 playoff race.
It’s noteworthy that KL Rahul, who was bagged by LSG for a massive INR 17 Crores ahead of the IPL 2022 auctions, is unlikely to be retained by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the next IPL auctions.
“There is a five-day gap before the next game against DC. As of now, no decision has been taken but it is understood that if Rahul plans to just concentrate on his batting for the remaining two games, no one would mind,” an IPL source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
While some are of the view that KL Rahul might step down, some have opposed the idea since it’s just a matter of two matches.
LSG will play out their penultimate IPL 2024 fixture against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 14th. The last of their fixture is set against Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 17 in the Wankhede Stadium.
Notably, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka and KL Rahul were seen having an intense chat after SRH defeated LSG by 10 wickets. Goenka, as appeared in the video, ran out of patience and was having an outburst at the LSG captain. The agitated conversation between the two surfaced on the internet and reactions from different sections started pouring in.
One of the reasons for LSG’s loss against SRH was indeed KL Rahul’s slow knock of 29 runs in 33 deliveries. The LSG skipper couldn’t get a move on throughout his innings and it hampered the team’s chances of posting a massive total.
While some considered the pitch to be slow in nature examining KL Rahul’s knock, the surface seemed alright when Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran batted in the same innings. The two middle-order batters added 99 runs in the last 9.4 overs of the innings.
It’s noteworthy that it is not the first time KL Rahul has been criticised for playing slow knocks. More often than not, he has been on the radar for it, which, interestingly, is one of the reasons for his ousting from the Indian T20I side as well.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not he steps down from the LSG captaincy position. In case he does, Nicholas Pooran, who currently is the vice-captain of the side, will take over for the last two matches of the IPL 2024.