For the first time in nearly six months, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul has opened up about the viral confrontation with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka during the 2024 IPL season. Many believe that this incident contributed significantly to Rahul’s departure from the LSG team ahead of the 2025 IPL mega auction.
The viral video clip, captured in the LSG dugout, showed Goenka visibly reprimanding Rahul following the team’s defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. This public dressing-down by Goenka sparked considerable backlash, with fans and analysts questioning his interference in team management. To mitigate the situation, Goenka later invited Rahul to a private dinner. Despite this effort, speculation continued to build around a possible rift, especially after Rahul was officially released by LSG before the 2025 season.
Rahul’s Reaction to the Incident: “A Big Shock for the Team”
Reflecting on the tense moment for the first time, Rahul admitted that the entire team was caught off guard by the incident, especially given the high stakes at that point in the tournament. He explained on Star Sports that the LSG squad was under pressure to win three out of their remaining five matches, and the unexpected altercation disrupted team morale.
“We were all in shock as a team because it happened during a crucial stage of the tournament when every match was critical. We needed to win at least two or three games to secure a spot in the playoffs. When this happened, it came as a huge shock to us,” Rahul shared.
Rahul noted that the incident, occurring so publicly, had an impact on the team’s overall atmosphere. Although the players regrouped and attempted to stay focused on reaching the playoffs, they ultimately fell short.
“What happened after the game was difficult for everyone involved, and it wasn’t something anyone wants to experience on the field. Although we did our best to rally together as a team, it wasn’t enough to get us through to the playoffs,” he said.
A Match to Forget: Rahul Reflects on His Poor Performance Against Hyderabad
Rahul revisited the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, calling it one of his most challenging matches both as a player and as a team leader. In that game, Lucknow posted a subpar total of 165, with Rahul himself struggling at the crease, managing just 29 runs off 33 balls. Sunrisers Hyderabad, however, responded with an aggressive batting display, with Travis Head scoring 89 off 30 balls and Abhishek Sharma adding 75 off 28 balls, enabling them to chase down the target in only 9.4 overs.
Describing the match, Rahul said, “I don’t think people realize how frustrating that game was. It felt like one of the worst performances I’ve been a part of—not just for my own play but for how we were outclassed. Watching Head and Abhishek play like that from behind the stumps, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
Every delivery the Lucknow bowlers sent seemed to be punished. The Sunrisers’ batsmen continuously found the boundary, with each shot looking effortless as they dismantled the LSG bowling attack.
“No matter what our bowlers tried, every ball either went to the boundary or flew into the stands. To see 160-170 runs chased down in under ten overs was surreal. It was like we were living through an unreal moment where nothing went our way,” Rahul recalled.
Conclusion
KL Rahul’s comments provide insight into the tension within the LSG team and his challenging experience during the 2024 IPL season. His reflections highlight not only the pressures players face during high-stakes games but also the delicate balance between team management and ownership. With his departure from LSG now confirmed, Rahul will look to a fresh start in the upcoming IPL season, hoping to leave the controversy behind and focus on his performance.
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