IPL 2024: KL Rahul may step down from LSG captaincy after Sanjiv Goenka altercation, will be released next year

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KL Rahul is likely to step down from captaincy after the public dressing down by the LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka on Wednesday (May 8).

In a dramatic turn of events following a mauling at the hands of SRH, Rahul faced the wrath of the LSG owner, who did an open confrontation with the Indian player in front of the cameras.

After a particularly challenging match against SRH where LSG's batsmen struggled and SRH's openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, showcased a spectacular performance, Rahul's leadership has come under scrutiny.

LSG were in the mix for the playoffs, but two heavy defeats at the hands of KKR and SRH respectively has jeopardized their playoff hopes, inherently casting a looming cloud over the role of KL Rahul as the leader of the team.

With crucial matches against Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians looming, LSG still has a mathematical chance to qualify for the playoffs. However, the team faces a significant challenge in improving their net run-rate.

Should Rahul step aside, vice-captain Nicholas Pooran is expected to lead the team. Pooran has been a standout performer this season, making him a likely candidate for captaincy.

Rahul's batting, particularly his strike rate, has been a topic of discussion. Despite being among the top run-scorers, his pace has lagged, which was evident in the India team selection for the T20 World Cup. Rahul has amassed 460 runs this season, but his strike rate is 136, significantly lower than his counterparts.

As reports say, the upcoming games present an opportunity for Rahul to enhance his performance and potentially address these criticisms.

"There is a five-day gap before the next game against DC. As of now, no decision has been taken but it is understood that if Rahul plans to just concentrate on his batting for the remaining two games, the management won't mind," an IPL was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

LSG's management has not yet confirmed these changes, but with a five-day gap before their next game, decisions will be made soon. Sanjiv Goenka's visible displeasure after the recent defeat has been a hot topic of debate, as the franchise is almost certain to release KL Rahul ahead of next season. The 32-year-old joined LSG in 2022, and has been linked with a move back to his home team Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the upcoming season.