Goenka was caught on camera having a heated conversation with Rahul in the IPL 2024 season.
Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, all teams are set to undergo a major overhaul as mega-auction will take place later this year.
While there is no clarity yet on the number of retentions each franchise will be allowed, rumours about possible moves in some of the teams have already started.
Speculations are rife that KL Rahul would leave Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) or the franchise would not retain the Indian batter as skipper after what happened in the last edition.
Notably, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was caught on camera having a heated conversation with Rahul after the team’s loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 8. The clip of their animated chat went viral on social media and it became a major talking point among fans and cricket experts.
Meanwhile, Goenka on Wednesday (August 28) called Rahul 'an integral part of the franchise'. However, he remained noncommittal about player retention and the captaincy for the next IPL season.
"Look, I've been meeting KL regularly over last three years. I'm a little surprised this meeting got so much attention. As I've said we have not taken any call till the retention rules are out," Goenka told reporters while unveiling Zaheer Khan as their team mentor.
"But KL has been an integral and important part of the LSG family since inception. He's played a very important role. He's like family and will be family."
Speaking about the retention plans, Goenka said that they have enough time and will take a decision once the rules are rolled out by the BCCI.
"We have all of September, October and November to decide that. Let the policies be out. We have not even thought about the team going forward, whether retention will be three-four-five or six, we have no clue," Goenka said.
"Let us see, there is enough time, so bit by bit. Whatever decisions we take today will impact us for the medium term future, so it has to be very well thought out and considered."
"There is enough time for it so it's too early. Let the BCCI announce the policy first, then there will be discussions."
Asked if they are going to press the 'reset mode' under new mentor Zaheer Khan, Goenka replied: “You always try and improve and that is a constant endeavour. When you have a mega auction, there is bound to be a reset but you want to retain the core as much as possible you can. Let's see how it goes.”
"One doesn't know which way what goes. Certainly the coach (Justin Langer) continues, Lance Kluesener (assistant coach), Jonty Rhodes (fielding coach) also continue. We are delighted for Morne Morkel and Gautam Gambhir, very pleased they have joined the national team," he further remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)