Under KL Rahul, LSG qualified for the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 seasons in the Indian Premier League. In IPL 2024, LSG finished seventh in the points table.
New Delhi: KL Rahul might not lead Lucknow Super Giants in the upcoming season of Indian Premier League (IPL) after veteran spinner Amit Mishra hinted that the franchise might look for a better captain in the next edition. Under Rahul, LSG qualified for the playoffs in the 2022 and 2023 seasons before finishing seventh in the previous edition. With the mega auction on the horizon for IPL 2025, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise might look up to a better candidate.
LSG not retaining Rahul as captain for IPL 2025 also gained significance after the right-hander had an animated conversation with Goenka after one of their losses, the video of which went viral on social media. Mishra, who played alongside Rahul for LSG in IPL 2024, opined that a franchise should appoint skippers who have the right T20 mindset.
“It does not matter if he is in the Indian team or not. But a person who has the right mentality for T20s should be the captain. Someone who plays for the team should be captain. I am sure LSG will look for a better captain,” said the veteran spinner in a video interaction with a YouTuber.
The animate conversation between Goenka and Rahul came after LSG were thumped by Sunrisers Hyderabad in just 10 overs. Recalling the incident about what transpired between the two, Mishra played down anything major and media hyped up the whole issue.
“Goenka was disappointed. We lost two back-to-back matches very badly. Against KKR, we lost by some 90-100 runs and against SRH, the match was finished within 10 overs. It felt like we were bowling them during a net practice session. If I am so angry about it, will someone who has actually put money into the team not feel angry?” Mishra said.
“It was not a huge deal. But I later came to know that he said that the bowling was very bad and the team should have shown some fight. It looked like you have completely surrendered. But I feel people and media hyped it up a bit,” he added.