KL Rahul, former captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has spoken out about his recent departure, shedding light on his choice to leave the team. After a turbulent IPL 2024 season that included public criticism from team owner Sanjiv Goenka, Rahul confirmed on Star Sports that he sought “freedom” and a “lighter” team atmosphere, prompting his decision.
‘I want to explore my options’ – KL Rahul
“I wanted to start fresh, explore my options, and play where I could find some freedom in a lighter team environment,” Rahul shared, expressing his desire for a positive change in his career. Rahul’s statement has spurred discussions about where he might play next, with top franchises expected to pursue him in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
LSG’s Retentions for 2025 Led by Nicholas Pooran
As LSG gears up for IPL 2025, they have retained five key players, most notably star wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran, whose record INR 21 crore salary makes him their top investment. Other retained players include Ravi Bishnoi, pacer Mayank Yadav, and promising uncapped talents Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. Goenka, along with head coach Justin Langer, bowling coach Zaheer Khan, and team analysts, finalized the retention list early, with Pooran’s retention described as an “automatic choice.”
“Our first retention, Nicholas Pooran, was an easy decision. With Langer, Zaheer, and our analyst, we retained two capped players and two uncapped,” Goenka revealed in a video, explaining that LSG spent INR 51 crore on their retained players.
As LSG moves forward, fans are eager to see where Rahul’s next chapter will take him as he enters the IPL 2025 auction as one of the top targets.
