On Wednesday, Lucknow Super Giants suffered a devastating 10-wicket defeat against formidable batting force Sunrisers Hyderabad. It’s their consecutive loss this season, putting them in a crunch position in the IPL 2024 points table. In 12 games this season, LSG has won 6, and with 12 points, they are standing in the 6th position in the table. Meanwhile, the franchise owner, Sanjeev Goenka, was left disappointed by the KL Rahul-led side’s performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
LSG Owner Sanjeev Goenka loses his cool at KL Rahul
After the match, a video surfaced showing Sanjeev Goenka engaged in an animated discussion with KL Rahul. In the footage, Goenka, accompanied by his wife, appeared visibly frustrated as he conveyed his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance. He was seen admonishing KL Rahul for the Lucknow Super Giants’ disappointing showing on the field.
In the batting paradise of Hyderabad, the KL Rahul-led side managed to score only 165 runs. KL Rahul, the opener, played a slow knock of 29 runs off 31 balls, a performance that likely irked Sanjeev Goenka. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down the target in just 9.4 overs without losing any wickets. The Lucknow Super Giants disappointed their owner in both innings, prompting his visible frustration and subsequent on-camera actions.
After this public spat under cameras, I’m sure that KL Rahul is leaving LSG next year. Fine big money’s riding in IPL and understand the frustration as an owner but it speaks volumes about Sanjiv Goenka as a boss!!
Never do your dirty laundry in public pic.twitter.com/ilKV8UltDb
— Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) May 8, 2024
The actions of the Goenka Group Chairman didn’t resonate well on social media. Netizens labeled it as unprofessional and shameful. Cricket experts also criticized Sanjeev Goenka’s behavior. Commentator Scott Styris praised KL Rahul for maintaining his composure during the conversation. “He has done well to keep his cool here. I think you are bang,” said Scott Styris.
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Graeme Smith also expressed his disapproval, stating that such incidents should not happen in front of the camera. “It’s the owner who is very passionate about his team. His team has taken an absolute drubbing, and the emotions have spilled over. You feel these conversations should be happening behind closed doors. With so many cameras around, they’re not missing anything. KL Rahul would now go to press conferences and other events and potentially explain what’s been discussed,” said Smith.
