Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) suffered a 10-wicket hammering at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 57 of the IPL 2024 season at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Wednesday (May 8).
After the game, the animated conversation between LSG skipper KL Rahul and franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka drew everyone’s attention.
Chasing the target of 166, SRH’S opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma made the mockery of LSG bowling attack, finishing the match in just 9.4 overs. While Head remained unbeaten on 89 off 30 balls (8 fours and 8 sixes), Sharma returned with 75 not out off 28 balls (8 fours and 6 sixes).
Goenka was not one bit pleased with how LSG were outclassed and seemingly expressed his displeasure at Rahul following the match.
The visuals from their interaction took the internet by storm, with many fans and experts slamming the LSG owner for his rather aggressive public outburst.
During the live broadcast, former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson and ex-South African captain Graeme Smith also criticized Sanjiv Goenka’s conduct with KL Rahul.
“He's on his head, isn't he? He's voicing his concerns, and KL is going, 'hang on, not quite sure what are you asking us to do'. Today was pretty clear: SRH were on from ball one in the field, and LSG were a bit conservative in terms of how they operate. If you compare that with how Sunrisers play, no doubt there was a distinct gap. He's voicing his displeasure,” Hesson told JioCinema.
On the other hand, Smith sympathised with Rahul, saying that there is a time and place to have such conversations.
“It's the owner who is very passionate about his team. His team has taken an absolute drubbing, and the emotions have rolled over. You feel these conversations should be happening behind closed doors. There are so many cameras around; they're not missing anything. KL Rahul would now go to press conferences and other things and potentially explain what's been discussed,” Smith remarked.
With this outcome, LSG slipped to sixth spot on the points table while SRH improved their net run rate drastically and moved up to the third position in the team standings.
