‘Making the right calls in those crunch moments is key’: Sanjiv Goenka aims dig at LSG captain KL Rahul after appointing Zaheer Khan as mentor

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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka has made it clear that the franchise needs to reassess its approach, particularly in decision-making thus roping in Zaheer Khan as a mentor ahead of IPL 2025. Following LSG's disappointing seventh-place finish in IPL 2024, Goenka subtly expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership, particularly hinting at KL Rahul, without directly naming him.

In a candid discussion with Sports Tak, Goenka reflected on LSG's recent struggles, indirectly pointing to the absence of a strong, experienced Indian voice in the team management. He emphasized how crucial it is to have someone who can make the right calls in high-pressure situations.

"Last year, I felt that an Indian mind, you can call him a mentor or anything, who has that fierce desire to win, was lacking a bit. Zaheer, even when he was a player, he was very determined to win. That was his only aim. I want that," Goenka said, pointing to the absence left by Gautam Gambhir. This led to the appointment of Zaheer Khan as the new mentor for IPL 2024, filling the void left by Gambhir.

Tensions between Goenka and KL Rahul became evident during IPL 2024, particularly after LSG's loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). A video of their heated exchange went viral, revealing Goenka's frustration with the team's underperformance. While Goenka refrained from making direct criticisms in public, the altercation highlighted his growing concern over the leadership and decision-making within the squad.

"I am not satisfied if someone comes and tells me we played badly today. Then, repeats the same thing the next two days. So I will ask him, 'why?' One player can be off-form, but XI players cannot be off-form every day. The decision-making role that Zaheer can play. The role that Gautam played was lacking last season. So my expectation from Zaheer is to work on that decision-making," he added.

Goenka later drew parallels with his time as the owner of Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), where Steve Smith took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2016. Goenka recalled how even with a relatively inexperienced squad, they almost clinched the title, only to falter in the final against Mumbai Indians.

"When we reached the finals with Pune, it was a new and inexperienced team. You leave out Steve Smith and MS Dhoni, we didn't have much experience in the team. We were about to win the final, but due to our lack of experience, we lost. So making the right calls in those crunch moments is key," he explained.

The LSG owner's recent interactions with KL Rahul have sparked speculation about the captain's future with the team. Goenka's comments about the need for better decision-making suggest that Rahul's position might be under scrutiny.