If you put 50 per cent of your purse LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka on possibility of buying MI's Rohit Sharma
LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka on possibility of buying MI's Rohit Sharma
IPL 2024 saw Hardik Pandya returning to Mumbai Indians (MI) camp and replacing Rohit Sharma as the captain. Meanwhile, there was a lot of drama in the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise as well.
KL Rahul had a forgettable run as a captain with LSG ending seventh and failing to make the playoffs. As a batter, he ended with a mediocre strike-rate of 136.12 despite making 520 runs. In addition, a clip went viral with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka having an animated discussion with Rahul amid LSG's struggles in the business end of this year's edition. With Rohit's removal as MI captain and Goenka-Rahul's video going viral, many thought Hitman might enter the IPL 2025 auction and LSG can aim for Rohit to succeed Rahul (with reports even claiming that they have kept aside a whopping INR 500 million, i.e. INR 50 crore, for the Mumbaikar). Goenka has finally reacted on this possibility.
'Do you even know if Rohit Sharma is entering the auction?'
In an interaction with Sportstar, LSG owner Goenka reacted to a possibility of buying Rohit and said, Do you even know if Rohit Sharma is entering the auction? This is all unnecessary. It all depends on whether Mumbai Indians release Rohit Sharma or not. And even if Rohit comes to auction... if you put 50 per cent of your purse on one player, how will you buy other players? (chuckles)
He further opined, "Everyone wishes to have the best captain and best players. It's not about wanting. It all depends on what you have, and what is available, and what all you can do with it. Everyone franchise will have the same desire."
On Wednesday (Aug 28), LSG unveiled former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan as the team mentor. During the event, Goenka also brushed aside rift rumours with Rahul. "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."
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