‘I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom’- KL Rahul opens up on leaving Lucknow Super Giants

Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), slapped KL Rahul after the LSG team fell to Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL 2024 league match. Due to his actions, Goenka was the target of the fans’ outcry after the video went viral on social media. In an attempt to make things better, he finally invited the cricket player around for supper.

Before the IPL 2025 mega auction, the batsman-wicketkeeper was cut from the team. While some supporters applauded the decision, others called it inevitable.

KL Rahul, who remained silent about his departure from the squad, has now spoken out.

The decision to quit LSG worked out, he continued, adding that it was entirely his own and that he wanted to be able to play freely.

I wanted to make a new beginning, consider my alternatives, and play where I could have some independence and a more relaxed team environment. Rahul stated on Star Sports that there are instances when you have to relocate and pursue a fulfilling life.

Sanjiv Goenka was the first person we automatically retained.

However, five players were kept by LSG: Ayush Badoni, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Nicholas Pooran, and Ravi Bishnoi. The team analyst, bowling coach and mentor Zaheer Khan, and head coach Justin Langer of LSG were all involved in the retention process, Goenka continued. Pooran received the highest compensation of INR 21 crore, while the team spent INR 51 crore to keep its players.

“It took less than two minutes for our first retention, which was an automatic decision. Nicholas Pooran was the one. Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni are uncapped, while

Also Read: IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants set to retain Pooran, Mayank and Bishnoi

Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav are capped. “Zaheer Khan, Justin Langer, and the analyst were all involved in the process,” Goenka stated in a video.