'When you have a mega auction, you try maintain as much of the core' - Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjeev Goenka on retention plans

IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjeev Goenka recently came forward and talked about his side’s retention plans. He also talked about the side’s plans for their star skipper, KL Rahul. 

With former India cricketer Zaheer Khan announced as LSG’s new mentor, Goenka admitted that the team was expected to undergo changes with the mega auction. The owner opined that the decisions in the auction will not be made with a short-term view. Besides, he also stressed on maintaining the core of the team as much they possibly can ahead of the crucial IPL mega auction 2025.

"All decisions are medium-term and need to be thought of carefully, when you have a mega auction you are bound to have a reset. But you try and maintain as much of the core as possible. The coach Justin Langer continues, [support staff] Lance Klusener and Jonty Rhodes will also be there. So it is a question of improving and going further from where you are now,” Sanjeev Goenka was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Also Read: Sanjiv Goenka opens up on KL Rahul's LSG future

 I have been meeting KL on and off regularly over the last three years: Goenka

It is worth noting that KL Rahul has been LSG’s skipper since their inception in 2022. The star batter was in Kolkata recently and met up with Goenka and even branded the skipper as family. Notably, ever since the side’s inception in 2022, the team managed to make the playoffs for two seasons but missed out in 2024, where they finished in seventh place.

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"I have been meeting KL on and off regularly over the last three years, frankly I am surprised this meeting is getting a lot of attention [in the media]. He is integral [to LSG]. He has been here since the inception. For me personally and for [my son] Shashwat [Goenka, who is also involved in running LSG], he is like family,” Goenka said. 

For the IPL 2024, the side did not have Gautam Gambhir as their mentor as the former batter had moved onto Kolkata Knight Riders. However, with Rahul expected to be retained, the fans will hope that LSG recruits the best possible players and get their hands on their maiden IPL title.