"Whatever happened on the field after the game wasn’t the nicest thing": KL Rahul on spat with Sanjiv Goenka

KL Rahul

India wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul has opened up on the animated chat between Lucknow Super Giants' owner Sanjiv Goenka and him during the 2024 IPL when LSG were hammered by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

LSG were in a need of a big win over SRH to qualfiy for the playoffs, but the team suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss. The LSG owner appeared visibly displeased after the match's outcome and was seen engaged in an intense discussion with skipper Rahul along the boundary line at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

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"As a team, we were all in shock because we were at the stage in that tournament where every game was very important. We had to win, I think, three out of five games or two out of the last four games. When this happened, it was just a big shock for all of us," said Rahul on Star Sports.

"Whatever happened on the field after the game wasn't the nicest thing to be part of or something that anyone wants to see on the cricket field. I think it did affect the entire group. We still had a chance to make it into the playoffs. We had a chat as a team and tried to regroup, put everything aside, and try to put our best foot forward. We tried our best, but unfortunately, our best wasn't good enough always. It was a bummer that we couldn't really make the playoffs or win the season as we had hoped," he added.

Before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India's KL Rahul recollected the days when he used to smash big sixes to prove himself as a big hitter.

"I think I grew as an individual and as a player. As a youngster, I tried really hard to be someone I wasn't, trying to hit big sixes to prove I could. It just wasn't coming naturally. What changed for me was watching Rahul Dravid in one of the IPL seasons around 2011 or 2012. He stayed true to his technique, and he was one of the best batsmen," Rahul said on Star Sports.

Further, KL Rahul stated that watching Team India's Rahul Dravid and New Zealand's Kane Williamson bat, made him realize that he doesn't need to try so hard.

"Seeing him do well in one-day and T20 cricket without changing his game changed something in me. I also spent time with Kane Williamson at SRH. He didn't get many chances, but he'd still go back and play amazing white-ball innings for New Zealand. Watching Dravid and Williamson, I realized I didn't need to try so hard. I had certain gifts I could use in T20 cricket to find success", added KL.

(With Agencies Inputs)