KL Rahul wants to be retained by LSG: Reports

KL Rahul has told Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka that he wants to be retained by the franchise in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, if reports are to be believed. Rahul met Goenka at the latter's office in Kolkata on August 26 (Monday). 

Earlier this year, during the IPL 2024, a video surfaced on social media showing Rahul and Goenka having an animated conversation. Since then, there have been murmurs of Rahul exiting LSG, a franchise he has been a part of since 2022. However, it was put down to a "frank discussion between owner and skipper."

Despite that, it was rumoured that the relationship between the two had worsened, and other teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) — Rahul's former team — were looking to sign him.

The team owner and skipper seem to have buried the hatchet, as Rahul wants to continue representing LSG in the IPL.

"Yes, Rahul came to Kolkata and met Dr. Goenka at RPG head office. He has clearly told Dr Goenka that he wants to be retained. However, till BCCI comes up with retention policy, LSG management wouldn't want to chalk out their plans," an IPL Governing Council member, privy to developments in LSG, told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

"Look, Rahul wants retention but till LSG knows how many are to be retained and what's the new purse, they can't commit anyone."

Goenka did not go into detail about what was discussed with Rahul but said, "I don’t want to comment on speculation. All I will say is KL Rahul is family," he was quoted by Revsportz on August 28 (Wednesday).

The mega auction ix expected to be held in December this year. Rahul has led LSG to playoffs in two of the three seasons so far. IPL 2024 was their worst finish where they finished seventh on the points table.

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