KL Rahul not getting retained by the Lucknow Super Giants was one of the main talking points about the IPL 2025 retention phase ahead of the mega auction. Rahul and LSG parted ways after three years, with the batter revealing that he wanted to go back into the auction pool.
Following the retention announcement, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka stated that the franchise decided to retain the players, who would put the team ahead of their personal ambitions.
“It was a simple mindset to go in for players, who have a mindset to win, who put the team before their personal goals and personal aspirations,” Goenka said.
Rahul responded to these statements in an interview with Star Sports when asked whether the LSG owner had any part in making him decide to leave the franchise. The batter revealed that the decision was made beforehand.
“The decision was made already. I don’t know what the comments are but they must have come after the retentions were made. Just felt like I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to play somewhere I can find some freedom and team atmosphere would be something lighter, much more balanced, pressure is already very high in the IPL,” Rahul told Star Sports.
Later in the interview, Rahul also revealed hios desire to play in a franchise with a light and balanced atmosphere and even named 2 franchises that he believes have such atmospheres.
“I wanted to play in a team atmosphere where it is lighter. Dressing rooms like GT (Gujarat Titans) and CSK (Chennai Super Kings) seem balanced and calm even when they lose, and that is important to me as a player,” Rahul said.
“We tried that at LSG with Andy Flower and GG (Gautam Gambhir) at first, and then with Justin Langer, and it was brilliant. But sometimes you have to move away and find something for yourself,” Rahul added.
