LSG Opens Up On LSG Exit: KL Rahul was released by the Luckow-based Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Rahul's three-year stint with LSG came to a close after he was not retained by the franchise on October 31. Now, for the first time since the retentions and releases were announced, Rahul has spoken out about his exit from Sanjiv Goenka-owned LSG.
KL Rahul led LSG to the playoffs twice in LSG’s first three seasons, but a public reprimand from the owner, where Sanjiv Goenka seemingly vented his frustration on Rahul after the team's humiliating loss during IPL 2024, and the team's poor overall performance in the same edition likely strained the relationship.
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I Wanted To Start Fresh: KL Rahul On LSG Exit
While his departure from LSG sparked speculation about whether he chose to leave or was released by the team. In one of the promo videos of Start Sports for their upcoming featured programme called KL Rahul Unplugged On Star, are going viral on social media showcasing Rahul opening up on his LSG exit.
In the video, Rahul expresses his intention to use the upcoming IPL season as a platform to rediscover his form and work towards making a comeback to the Indian T20 team, after being out of the squad for some time.
"I have been out of the T20 team for a while and I know where I stand as a player and I know what I need to do to get back, so I'll look forward to this IPL season to give me that platform where I can go back and enjoy my cricket and my aim is to obviously get back into the Indian T20 team," said Rahul in a promo video posted by Star Sports on their ‘X' account.
Watch the video here:
He further can be heard saying that he chose to move on for a fresh start, seeking a team with a lighter atmosphere where he could play with more freedom and explore new opportunities.
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"I wanted to start fresh. I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom, where the team atmosphere could be something lighter. Sometimes you need to move away and find something good for yourself."
In another promo video, Rahul says, “We tried our best” upon being asked how he felt at LSG for the first two years in the IPL.
Watch here:
LSG retained Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni for the IPL 2025 season. With many teams seeking a keeper-opener and captain, KL Rahul is expected to be one of the top earners at the upcoming mega auction, set to be held on November 24-25.