After KL Rahul parted ways with Lucknow Super Giants, the middle-order batter has opened up on his decision to move on from the franchise.

KL Rahul has reacted to LSG’s owner Sanjiv Goenka’s comments after IPL 2025 retentions, saying he wanted a fresh start with a new franchise.

LSG has released Rahul with Goenka saying that the team wanted to retain players who put the team before their personal goals, which was believed to be directed towards the skipper.

Rahul was singed by LSG ahead of the 2022 mega auction and was named captain of the franchise under his leadership the side qualified for the playoffs in their first two seasons. However, the side finished in the bottom of the points table in 2024 season.

“It was a simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win, who put the team first before their personal goals and personal aspirations and we wanted to retain as much as of core we could,” said Sanjiv Goenka.

Rahul finally reacting ton Goenka’s statement and opened up on his decision as he is set to enter the IPL 2025 mega auction later this month.

“The decision was made already. I don’t know what the comments are but they must have come after the retentions were made.”

“Just felt like I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to play somewhere I can find some freedom and team atmosphere would be something lighter, much more balanced, pressure is already very high in the IPL,” told KL Rahul.

During the 2024 match against SRH, Goenka’s on field behaviour towards KL Rahul has created a ruckus although both parties sorted thing out.

Rahul has explained why it’s important for a team to have a balanced atmosphere regardless of the results, something he feels teams like Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings have mastered.

“You see teams like Gujarat Titans, CSK and all of these teams, and you see, whether they win or lose, they seem very balanced; they stay very calm; that’s something very important for me as a player. If that happens, I feel like it gives all the players the best chance to perform,” he added.

He further said that he also tried to create such a atmosphere at LSG with the coaches, but it was time for his to move on anf find something for himself.

“We tried it first at LSG with Andy Flower and GG, last year we had Justin Langer. I think it was a brilliant atmosphere in the dressing room but somehow, you need to move away and need to find something good for yourself,” he concluded.

LSG retained Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan and will be looking for some brand new players in the IPL 2025 Mega auction.

The IPL governing council has confirmed that the mega auction will be held in November 24 and 25 at Jeddah. Despite the event being hosted overseas, IPL fans can still enjoy the IPL 2025 auction live streaming from their home.

As a part of the season, BCCI will release the IPL 2025 schedule, IPL 2025 squad, IPL 2025 live streaming, IPL 2025 ticket booking links, and IPL 2025 team jersey details right before the start of the tournament.