IPL 2025: Jonty Rhodes Lauds KL Rahul's Captaincy At LSG, Calls It Excellent

Jonty Rhodes, the fielding coach for Lucknow Giants (LSG), has commended KL Rahul leadership amidst ongoing rumours about his potential departure from the franchise or stepping down as captain. During an exclusive chat with India Today at the Pro Cricket League pre-launch event on August 31 in New Delhi, Rhodes highlighted Rahul's successful tenure over the past three years.

KL Rahul has been at the helm of LSG since its inception in 2022, steering the team to the playoffs in two out of three seasons. Despite a lacklustre IPL 2024 season where LSG finished seventh, Rahul's impact as a captain remains significant. Rhodes pointed out that leading a new franchise to consistent playoff appearances underscores Rahul's leadership qualities.

Leadership Amidst Challenges

Rhodes acknowledged the difficulties of captaining an IPL team, especially with the league's expansion to ten teams. He compared Rahul's journey to that of successful captains like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, noting that while LSG hasn't won a trophy yet, building a strong foundation is crucial. "So you know, to look at Rohit's record as a captain, Dhoni's record as a captain, the trophies that those guys have won and the consistency that they've done to winning trophies, from LSG's point of view, it might just be one thing getting into the final, winning the trophy," Rhodes added.

Rhodes further elaborated on how Mumbai Indians (MI) didn't win a trophy for several years initially but once they learned how to win, they continued their success. He believes Rahul has done an excellent job setting up a new culture within LSG despite having players from diverse backgrounds. "It then turns out MI didn't win a trophy for quite a few years at the start. Once they learned how to win trophies, they kept going and kept going. So I think from that point of view, I think he's done an excellent job at the helm," said Rhodes.

Speculations About Rahul's Future

The recent meeting between KL Rahul and LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka at his Kolkata residence has sparked speculation about his future with the team. Additionally, during Zaheer Khan's introduction as LSG's new mentor, Goenka mentioned that discussions regarding Rahul's future are still ongoing.

Despite these uncertainties, Rhodes remains confident in Rahul's capabilities as a leader. He praised Rahul for creating a cohesive environment within a new franchise and managing players from various parts of India and around the world effectively.

"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 towards his captaincy," Rhodes stated. This sentiment reflects his belief in Rahul's strategic approach and leadership style.

Rahul's ability to guide LSG into playoff contention consistently speaks volumes about his leadership skills. Even though LSG hasn't clinched an IPL title yet, Rhodes emphasised that building towards such achievements is essential for any team.

The praise from Jonty Rhodes underscores KL Rahul's significant contributions to LSG since its inception. As discussions about his future continue, it remains clear that his leadership has left an indelible mark on the franchise.