IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants Decide KL Rahul's Future After Captain's Meeting With Owner Sanjiv Goenka

Will Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) retain KL Rahul or will they release their captain? This is probably the biggest decision that the Lucknow-based franchise has to make before the IPL 2025 mega-auction. LSG showed huge faith in Rahul and signed him for Rs 17 crore before the IPL 2022 mega-auction. He was also bestowed with captaincy and led LSG in three seasons.Rahul's recent meeting with LSG's owner, Sanjiv Goenka hinted that the franchise could retain him. But that might not be the case. Aajtak has reported that Rahul will not be leading LSG in IPL 2025 and that the franchise is set to release him. Since the BCCI is all but set to stage a mega-auction before IPL 2025, Rahul will be part of it.Rahul-led LSG made it to the playoffs of IPL 2022. They crashed out after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the eliminator. Rahul missed the second half of IPL 2023 due to an injury. LSG once again lost the eliminator.LSG failed to qualify for the second round of IPL 2024 and finished at the seventh spot in the points table. A video of an animated chat between Rahul and owner Sanjiv Goenka went viral on social media during the season. Rahul remained the captain and led LSG for the remainder of the season.While Rahul struggled on the captaincy front, he has excelled with the bat. The right-handed batsman scored 616 runs in IPL 2022 and followed up with 274 runs in 9 matches in IPL 2023. Rahul scored 520 runs in IPL 2024.He was eyeing a spot in the national squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup but couldn't make a comeback. Rahul hasn't played a T20I since the 2022 T20 World Cup.The BCCI is set to decide the future of IPL 2025 soon and a clear word on Rahul will only be out after the board's announcement. The Right to Match (RTM) card could make its return if there's a mega auction.