'I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom' - KL Rahul opens up on leaving Lucknow Super Giants

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka lashed out at KL Rahul after LSG lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in a league game during IPL 2024. The video of the same went viral on social media and Goenka was at the receiving end of the fans' uproar due to his conduct. He eventually invited the cricketer over for a dinner and tried to amend things. 

Ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction, the wicketkeeper-batter was released from the team. Several fans welcomed the move and critics labelled it as the given thing. However, Rahul, who was mum throughout, has opened up on him leaving the team. He added that the decision was completely his and he sought freedom to play freely and the decision to leave LSG panned out.

"I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom, where the team atmosphere could be something lighter. Sometimes you need to move away and find something good for yourself,” Rahul said  on Star Sports.

Also Read: LSG co-owner Shashwat Goenka explains ‘guiding principle’ behind Mayank Yadav's retention 

Our first retention was an automatic choice: Goenka 

On the other hand, LSG retained five players in the form of Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. Goenka added that the retention process involved LSG’s Head Coach, Justin Langer, bowling coach and mentor Zaheer Khan and the team analyst. The franchise shed INR 51 crore in retaining their players with Pooran receiving the highest salary of INR 21 crore.

"Our first retention, which was an automatic choice, happened in less than two minutes. That was Nicholas Pooran. We have two capped retentions: Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav, and two uncapped: Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. It was a process involving Zaheer Khan, Justin Langer, and the analyst," Goenka said in a video.