Jonty Rhodes lauds KL Rahul's LSG captaincy amid exit rumors
Jonty Rhodes, the fielding coach of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has commended KL Rahul's leadership skills. This comes amid speculation about Rahul's potential departure from the franchise or stepping down as captain. In a conversation with India Today, Rhodes praised Rahul's successful three-year stint as LSG captain since its inception in 2022. Despite a less-than-stellar IPL 2024 season where LSG finished seventh, Rhodes emphasized that Rahul's impact as a leader remains significant.
Rhodes highlights Rahul's leadership in guiding LSG
Rhodes highlighted Rahul's leadership prowess in guiding the nascent franchise to the playoffs in two out of three seasons. "I think if you look at a record as a captain of a brand-new franchise, getting into the playoffs every time like he has, it's been something that goes a long way toward his captaincy," Rhodes said. He further underscored that this achievement attests to Rahul's effective team management and strategic approach.
Rhodes compares Rahul's captaincy with IPL legends
Rhodes drew parallels between Rahul's leadership and that of successful IPL captains like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. He emphasized that while LSG has not yet clinched a trophy, the journey toward this goal is what matters most. "So you know, to look at Rohit's record as a captain, Dhoni's record as a captain...from LSG's point of view, it might just be one thing getting into the final, winning the trophy," Rhodes stated.
Rhodes praises Rahul's role in shaping LSG's culture
Rhodes also lauded Rahul for his role in shaping the culture of the newly formed franchise. "I think he's done an excellent job at the helm, with a brand new franchise, setting up a new culture," Rhodes said. He further noted that this is indicative of how effectively Rahul has captained a team comprising players from diverse backgrounds across India and the world.
Rahul's future with LSG remains uncertain
Despite Rhodes's praise, Rahul's future with LSG remains uncertain. A recent meeting between Rahul and LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka at his Kolkata residence has sparked rumors about his continued association with the team. During Zaheer Khan's introduction as the new mentor for LSG, Goenka disclosed that discussions regarding Rahul's future role within the side are still ongoing.
