Sanjiv Goenka responded to reports claiming LSG has set aside INR 50 crore to acquire Rohit Sharma.
There is considerable speculation regarding Rohit Sharma’s future in the IPL.
On Wednesday, Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka introduced former Indian fast-bowling great Zaheer Khan as the team’s new mentor. The Super Giants narrowly missed the playoffs in the last IPL season, ending on a sour note amid speculation of a rift between Goenka and captain KL Rahul. This speculation was fueled by an on-field exchange where Goenka appeared visibly frustrated following a loss.
Recent weeks have been rife with rumors about player retentions and the upcoming mega auction. While KL Rahul’s future with the franchise remains uncertain, another prominent name linked to a potential move is Rohit Sharma, India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain. Rohit has faced controversy recently, with Mumbai Indians replacing him as captain with Hardik Pandya, a move that sparked considerable backlash.
Among the swirling rumors, one sensational claim suggested that Lucknow Super Giants had earmarked INR 50 crore to acquire Rohit Sharma. This rumor drew widespread attention, largely due to its perceived implausibility. When asked about it during an interview with SportsTak, Goenka chuckled at the notion.
He acknowledged that having a player of Rohit Sharma’s stature would benefit any team but dismissed the idea of setting aside such a large sum for one player. Goenka emphasized the need for a balanced approach in building a competitive team.
“Do you even know if Rohit Sharma is entering the auction? This is all unnecessary. It all depends on whether Mumbai Indians release him or not. And even if Rohit comes to auction, spending 50 percent of your budget on one player would be impractical,” Goenka said. “Every team wants the best players and captains. It’s not just about wanting; it’s about what you have, what’s available, and how you can use it.”
Regarding KL Rahul, Goenka referred to him as “an integral part of the franchise” amidst ongoing speculation about his future. He remained non-committal about player retention and captaincy decisions for the next IPL season.
“I’ve been meeting KL regularly over the past three years, so I’m surprised this meeting has attracted so much attention. We haven’t made any decisions yet; it depends on the retention rules,” Goenka said while unveiling Zaheer Khan. “KL has been an essential part of the LSG family from the start. He plays a crucial role, and he’s like family to us.”
