KL Rahul was released by Lucknow Super Giants, owner Sanjeev Goenka was trolled badly for saying this

One of the biggest names not retained ahead of IPL 2025 is KL Rahul. The star batsman was the captain of Lucknow Super Giants for the last few seasons. However, he will now join the auction pool. The retained players of LSG are Nicholas Pooran (Rs 21 crore), Ravi Bishnoi (Rs 11 crore), Mayank Yadav (Rs 11 crore), Mohsin Khan (Rs 4 crore) and Ayush Badoni (Rs 4 crore). Talking about retention, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka made an interesting point.

Sanjiv Goenka said, “It was a simple mindset to play for players who have a winning mentality, who put the team before their individual goals and personal aspirations.”

“Our first retention, which was an automated selection, happened in less than two minutes. We have two uncapped retentions, i.e. Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. It was a process that involved Zaheer Khan, Justin Langer and analysts and CEOs Were.

“We have gone with three bowlers from last season, all Indians. Pooran was easy for everyone. Ayush has done well for us at No. 6 or No. 7.”

The comment regarding ‘personal goals and personal aspirations’ was trolled a lot on social media. Many users found ‘KL Rahul connection’ in it. Even former India player Dodda Ganesh was unhappy with the comment.

What a foolish thing to say. Throwed all the players, not put them under the bus. https://t.co/Ha0fw84OmI

— Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) 31 October 2024

And met KL twice and gave the first retention offer. Now what is needed is not personal aspirations but a winning mentality. This is Goenka for you guys

– Venky (Chinna)🇮🇳 (@Call_me_VenkY1) 31 October 2024

Wow! Sanjiv Goenka with some strong statements on LSG retention

“We have retained players who play for the team, not for their individual achievements” #IPL2025 #IPLAuction

– Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) 31 October 2024

LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka “We wanted a player who had a winning mentality. We wanted to retain a player who puts the team ahead of his personal achievements.”

But he released KL Rahul, a selfless player who played for the team.pic.twitter.com/awgnFD8sXG

– Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) 31 October 2024

Ahead of the IPL retention, a PTI report quoted a source as saying that Rahul’s batting style was the reason for him not being retained.

“The only consideration in LSG was the performance over the last three years and especially Rahul’s own batting style and strike rate, which are important variables while taking the decision,” a source tracking developments in LSG told PTI on Wednesday.

“So Langer and Zaheer sit with all the numbers… Rahul’s SR for three years with LSG are 136.13 (616 runs), 113.23 (274) and 135.38 (520). In today’s T20, when the Indian team also Had to change our philosophy, these numbers were not acceptable,” the source said.