‘Just a storm in a teacup’ - Lance Klusener downplays animated chat between Sanjeev Goenka and KL Rahul

Lucknow Super Giants’ assistant coach Lance Klusener has played down the animated chat between LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka andskipper KL Rahul. The clip of the exchange has emerged all over social media, as Goenka seemed to be reprimanding Rahul for LSG’s performance against SRH. The chat also led to speculations over Rahul’s future with the franchise. 

However, Klusener revealed that there have been no discussions over Rahul’s future, and the chat between Goenka and the starting batter was just a passionate chat between two cricket lovers. 

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"I don't see any problem with some robust discussion between two cricket lovers. So for us, I guess it's just a storm in a teacup. We love a robust discussion. I think that's how teams get better. So, it's not a big thing for us," Klusener said at the pre-match press conference

I think this IPL has been exceptionally tough for him: Klusener

Furthermore, Klusener came to Rahul’s defence as the LSG skipper is going through a rough patch in the IPL 2024. Opening the batting, Rahul has scored 460 runs, but his strike rate reads 136.09, and his subpar strike rate has put pressure on the middle-order batters. However, Klusener was of the opinion that the conditions around Rahul have been very tough. 

"KL has got his own unique style, which has made him a fantastic player and respected around the world. I think this IPL has been exceptionally tough for him because we've kept losing wickets at stages which hasn't allowed him to kick on where he likes. He probably feels like he's always having to rebuild,” he said.

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"I think as a batting unit around KL, we haven't been as good as we should. It's just been extremely tough conditions for him. That's something we've chatted about as well -- we've just kept losing wickets at tough times,” he added.