KL Rahul vs Sanjiv Goenka row: ‘There is no harm in being respectful’

Actions speak louder than words, they say.

Actions can as well speak ‘as loud as words, sometimes.

Perhaps, there is no better example than Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka.

The emergence of a post-match video capturing Goenka's animated exchange with seemingly calm skipper KL Rahul does enough to fuel speculation surrounding the team's leadership dynamics and uncontrollable chaos back in the dressing room.

Besides cricketers and commentators, several fans have voiced disapproval of Goenka's public display of ire directed towards Rahul and coach Justin Langer. This sentiment even resonated with an ex-top order batsman of now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants, which was also formerly owned by Goenka.

"I understand there will always be differences. You will not always be backed by the manager, but this was no way to deal with it. KL (Rahul) is a reputable figure, imagine what others in the squad must be through if the captain himself is being publicly rebuked like this. I feel for him, he is not in the best of form at present and got dropped from the national team, and now things have come down to this. It is really unfortunate," he told Mid-Day on the condition of anonymity.

He continued: "The team management deserves to ask questions, but a more discreet venue, like the dressing room, could have been ideal for discussing their performance. Much respect for KL for handling it all so maturely. There is no harm in being respectful, when will they learn?"

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Lucknow find themselves teetering on the brink of elimination from IPL playoffs, thrusting Rahul's future as their skipper into the spotlight. Following a resounding defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad last week, speculation swirls regarding the 32-year-old's potential relinquishment of captaincy to focus on his batting prowess in the final two matches. However, amid the conjecture, the prevailing sentiment suggests that he will likely retain his leadership mantle for the upcoming must-win games.

While no definitive decision has been reached, insiders have hinted that should Rahul opt to prioritise his batting, such a choice would be met with understanding from the team's management. The prospect of Rahul shedding the responsibilities of captaincy to channel his energy into bolstering the team's batting order looms large, albeit amid a backdrop of uncertainty.

Rahul's struggles, particularly during the Powerplay overs, have been a recurring theme throughout the season, casting a shadow over the team's prospects. Despite amassing a commendable tally of 460 runs in 12 appearances, Rahul's strike rate of 136.09 raises concerns, positioning him unfavourably among the league's leading run-scorers. The stark contrast between his strike rate and that of his counterparts underscores the imperative for remedial action.

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If Rahul chooses to step down from his leadership role, vice-captain Nicholas Pooran emerges as the frontrunner to take charge for the remainder of the season. Pooran's prowess with the bat, coupled with his astute understanding of the game, position him as a compelling candidate to lead the team in Rahul's absence. As the season hurtles towards its climax, the onus falls on LSG's leadership cadre to navigate the choppy waters and steer the team towards redemption.

While Lucknow's mathematical chances of playoff qualification remain intact, the daunting task of significantly bolstering their net run rate looms large.

Come Monday, Rahul once again faces an uphill battle to salvage his team's campaign from the brink of disappointment at the Kotla.