Just minutes after confirming that KL Rahul will be released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, Sanjiv Goenka once again found himself in the middle of a storm as his remarks to the media left fans displeased.
For those unversed, Rahul will enter the mega auction after deciding to not stay with the Lucknow-based franchise. LSG have decided to retain five players with Nicholas Pooran signing once again for them for a whopping figure of Rs. 21 crore. Meanwhile, young Indian pace sensational Mayank Yadav and talented spinner Ravi Bishnoi were retained for Rs. 11 crore.
LSG also kept hold of two uncapped players as Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan will continue their association with the franchise and earn Rs. 4 crore each.
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After the deadline expired, Goenka explained the retentions calls. However, his remarks left cricket fans furious with many suspecting that it was a dig at Rahul.
"Our first retention which was an automatic choice, happened within like less than two minutes. We have two uncapped retentions that is Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. It was a process that Zaheer Khan, Justin Langer and the analyst were involved in. We have gone with three bowlers from previous seasons, all Indians. Pooran was a no-brainer for everyone. Ayush has done well for us at No.6 or No.7
"It was a simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win, who put the team first before their personal goals and personal aspirations and we wanted to retain as much as of core we could," said Goenka.
"Keeping it simple was the key."With @LucknowIPL announcing their retentions for #IPL2025, #LSG owner #SanjivGoenka shares insights into the thinking behind their picksLIVE NOW 👉 #IPLRetentionsOnStar! | #IPLRetentions#TATAIPL2025#TATAIPLpic.twitter.com/o4rQZfbE7k
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 31, 2024
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See Reactions
This is the lowest of lows by Sanjeev Goenka. Worse than what he did at the IPL.I wonder how any player will want to be a part of this toxic setup. https://t.co/t4hxtShSOe
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) October 31, 2024
This is the lowest of lows by Sanjeev Goenka. Worse than what he did at the IPL.I wonder how any player will want to be a part of this toxic setup. https://t.co/t4hxtShSOe
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) October 31, 2024
A little too much from Goenka tbh. If you don’t want a certain player in your team, you leave him. There’s no need to justify your retentions by saying those things about personal milestones and stuff. KL Rahul should give him a befitting reply from his bat in the next season.
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) October 31, 2024
This Owner is full of Ego.. His team will Never win KL dis right leaving this Franchise.
— 🤍✍ (@imAnthoni_) October 31, 2024
What a silly thing to say. Throwing all the players, not retained under the bus. https://t.co/Ha0fw84OmI
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) October 31, 2024
Last season, Goenka was widely criticised after visuals of his heated exchange with Rahul post LSG's 10-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) went viral.
Rahul joined LSG in 2022 in the pre-auction draft after signing with the franchise for Rs. 17 crore. He is also the team's first-ever captain.