KL Rahul Hints at Director-Level Pressure, Indirectly Reacts to LSG Owner Goenka

KL Rahul says IPL captaincy drained him more than international cricket, citing energy-sapping ownership meetings and constant questioning seen as a pointed response to LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka.

Mumbai | 17 November 2025: KL Rahul has opened up about what he calls the mental and physical toll of being an IPL captain, hinting at tension with franchise management. In a recent interview, he said that the volume of meetings, strategic reviews, and constant explanations to owners made him feel more exhausted than even a long stretch of international cricket.

He added that captains are “constantly being asked a lot of questions” about team selection, sudden changes, and tactical decisions. Rahul said these demands often come from those without a deep understanding of sport, forcing him to justify decisions that would typically be handled by coaches and selectors.

His comments are widely interpreted as a subtle rebuke of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka, who earlier publicly suggested that the team seeks players who prioritise the “team over personal goals.” Rahul didn’t name Goenka directly, but said he left LSG to find a “lighter, more balanced” team atmosphere  citing how other franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans handle high-pressure situations.

The tension between Rahul and LSG management was already on display when, after a match in 2025, he appeared to cold-shoulder Goenka during a handshake.

Critics believe Rahul’s remarks reflect broader issues in franchise-player dynamics, especially for leadership roles in the IPL.

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