On social media, KL Rahul reunion with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka and his kid garnered more attention than his well-written jab.
KL When the Delhi Capitals hosted the Lucknow Super Giants in Vizag earlier this season in the IPL 2025, Rahul was not included in the starting lineup. However, on Tuesday, it was most likely meant to be in Lucknow, where the Delhi Capitals batter delivered an emotional blow to lead the visitors to victory. His reunion with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka and his son Shashwat Goenka, however, became the social media talking topic more than his well-written remark.
Having played for the Super Giants for the previous three IPL seasons until he was fired due to a rumoured falling out with Goenka, Rahul was well aware of the situation in Lucknow. In order to help Delhi chase down 160 with 13 balls remaining, he used his expertise to craft a mature knock. Rahul became the quickest batsman in IPL history to reach 5000 runs, scoring his third half-century in the match while remaining undefeated at 57 off 42. Five less innings than the previous record holder, David Warner, he accomplished the milestone in his 130th innings.
Goenka went to the pitch after the game and approached Rahul to offer his congratulations. After shaking hands, the owner of LSG gave him kudos for his efforts. However, Rahul just walked away, ignored him, and gave Goenka a cold shoulder. Rahul followed suit with Shaswat, Goenka’s son, who was in line following his father. The former LSG captain was not in the mood for a conversation when the father-son team of LSG attempted to stop Rahul.
In an interview with Star Sports, Goenka famously made a subtle jab at Rahul by stating that he preferred to invest in players that prioritised the team over their own objectives.
“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,” Goenka stated. Rahul reacted to the remark in a different interview, speaking to the same platform, by stating that he is eager to join a company where he is allowed more flexibility and the environment is better.
“The choice had already been made. The remarks must have been made after the retentions were made, but I’m not sure what they are. Rahul had stated in November, before to the massive auction, “I 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 a team atmosphere would be something lighter, much more balanced, as pressure is already very high in the IPL.”
Delhi’s stunning run continues
Delhi has won six of their first eight games in an IPL season for the fifth time in the league’s history, the latest time being in 2021. In each of the four prior seasons, they made it to the Play-Offs. At the beginning of the 2025 Indian Premier League, Delhi won four straight games before losing to the Mumbai Indians at home. After defeating the Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling Super Over match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, they recovered to win again before losing to the Gujarat Titans for the second time this season. On Tuesday, however, Delhi completed a double against Lucknow to record their sixth victory. With as many victories as Gujarat and only a lower net run rate separating them, they are now ranked second in the points standings.
