Team India wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul talked about the pressure of leading an IPL franchise ahead of the upcoming mini-auction next month. Rahul did not mention Sanjiv Goenka’s name but said the constant demand for clarification after the defeat was mentally tiring.
The right-handed batsman spent three seasons with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). During the 2024 season, videos of Goenka reprimanding Rahul after the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) went viral. While Rahul has been one of the most consistent batsmen of the IPL, his tenure as captain met with limited success.
Lucknow’s loss to SRH in 2024 increases tension between KL Rahul and Sanjiv Goenka
In 2024, Lucknow Super Giants suffered a 10-wicket defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, chasing 165 in just 9.4 overs. After the defeat, team owner Sanjiv Goenka had an animated chat with KL Rahul and their relationship reportedly deteriorated after this.
Despite being LSG’s top run-scorer in IPL 2024, Rahul was not retained ahead of the 2025 mega auction. Under his captaincy, Lucknow reached the playoffs in his first two seasons since debuting in 2022, even though they could not advance to the finals.
The wicketkeeper-batsman still remains the leading run-scorer for the Lucknow-based franchise in the IPL. He scored 1,410 runs in 38 matches at an average of 41.47 and a strike rate of 130.67, which included two centuries and 10 fifties.
I am more tired mentally and physically – KL Rahul
While talking to Jatin Sapru, KL Rahul did not take the name of Sanjiv Goenka, but gave a clear indication of the tension created by the constant questions from the franchise owners after the defeat. Rahul said that giving explanations to the owners left him mentally and physically exhausted, even more so than the entire international season.
Rahul told Sapru, “What I found most difficult as a captain in the IPL was how many meetings you had to do, how many reviews you had to do and how many things you had to explain at the ownership level. All this is really draining of energy. So at the end of the IPL I realized that I am more tired mentally and physically after playing 10 months of international cricket.”
KL Rahul criticized Sanjiv Goenka and other franchise owners.
“Who don’t know anything about cricket and criticize players even if they play for their own team. They are international players and no one wants to lose a single game!” pic.twitter.com/b1JuiYcw68
– GillTheWill (@GillTheWill77) 15 November 2025
There is nothing in sports that guarantees victory – KL Rahu
KL Rahul pointed out that at the international level, decisions are evaluated by coaches and selectors who understand the game, while franchise owners without a sporting background can expect guaranteed results.
“I mean, these are questions that we are never asked throughout the year, right? Because the coaches who are there know what’s going on. You are only answerable to coaches and selectors who have played cricket and understand cricket and the nuances of the game,” Rahul said.
He said, “It doesn’t matter what you do and how many boxes are ticked, there is nothing in sport that guarantees victory. So the hard part is to explain to people coming from a non-sporting background.”
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