KL Rahul’s outstanding run in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy became one of the talking points of India’s 2-2 Test series draw in England, but a social media post from his former IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has sparked outrage among cricket fans.
In challenging English conditions, Rahul emerged as a pillar at the top of the order, scoring 532 runs at an impressive average of 53.20. This made him the most successful opener of the series across both teams and the third-highest run-scorer overall, behind Shubman Gill and Joe Root. His ability to counter the moving ball and build strong opening stands was instrumental in India securing a rare away series draw.
However, fans noticed a glaring omission in LSG’s recent celebratory post that featured key Indian players from the series. While Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep were highlighted—Pant and Akash being current LSG players—Rahul was absent altogether, despite his series-defining contributions.
Former India pacer Dodda Ganesh called out the franchise publicly, stating that it was “embarrassing” to exclude a player who had scored over 500 runs against quality opposition in tough conditions. Supporters echoed his sentiments, accusing LSG of deliberately ignoring their former captain.
The history between Rahul and LSG adds context to the controversy. After captaining the team to playoff finishes in 2022 and 2023, Rahul’s relationship with the management reportedly soured. A heated on-field exchange with owner Sanjiv Goenka during the 2024 season fueled speculation, and the franchise released him ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. Rahul was picked up by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore, while Pant joined LSG for a record ₹27 crore and took over the captaincy.
Despite the leadership change, LSG’s results stagnated, finishing seventh for the second consecutive year. Pant struggled with the bat until the final group match, while Rahul’s Delhi Capitals started strong but ended in fifth place.
The omission of Rahul from LSG’s celebratory post has now reignited debate about the lingering tensions between the player and the franchise. Fans believe that, regardless of past differences, his performances in the England series deserved recognition.
