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Last season, a heated conversation between Sanjiv Goenka and then Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul became a topic of significant interest. This incident followed a heavy ten-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite the controversy, insiders suggest the media might have exaggerated the encounter.

KL Rahul spent three seasons with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), captaining them to the playoffs in their first two campaigns. However, the IPL 2025 season was less successful, leading to Rahul’s release ahead of the 2025 mega auction, where he was acquired by Delhi Capitals for INR 14 crore. Rahul has since played notable matches for Delhi, including a match-winning performance against his former team, LSG.

During IPL 2025, Sanjiv Goenka, the highly involved team owner of LSG, was seen interacting with the new captain, Rishabh Pant. Former LSG player Amit Mishra has described Goenka as a friendly and motivational figure, always keen on the team’s success. Mishra highlighted that while Rahul made all major decisions during his tenure as captain, the current season sees a more collaborative approach among the coaching staff, including key figures like Zaheer Khan and Justin Langer.

Despite the media attention on Goenka’s discussion with KL Rahul, Amit Mishra emphasized Goenka’s positive influence, implying that the controversy was inflated. Post the match against LSG where Rahul starred, an interaction with Goenka seemed brief and hurried, suggesting perhaps a conscious effort to maintain professional decorum.

Under the leadership of Rishabh Pant, LSG is navigating the ongoing season, but recent performances, like the 54-run defeat against Mumbai Indians, have placed them sixth in the current points standings. As the competition progresses, LSG’s strategy and leadership dynamic remain focal points of both scrutiny and support within the cricket community.

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