New Delhi, India

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are now in a precarious position to enter the IPL 2024 playoffs after losing two games heavily on the trot. At present, they are at the sixth spot with 12 points and two games to go. With the race for the fourth spot heating up with each passing day, KL Rahul-led LSG need to get their act straight to make it to the next round. After their ten-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in match 57 in Hyderabad, a video went viral where LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen having an animated talk with Rahul. In the clip, Goenka seemed frustrated with his franchise's defeat and had a tough conversation with his captain.

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Since the video went viral, a lot of people criticised Goenka for slamming Rahul in front of the camera and not taking out his frustration in the dressing room. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag also joined the bandwagon and slammed the Lucknow owner. He made a big statement by saying that since the owners are still earning heavy profits, they should not interrupt with the senior team management. Further, Sehwag hinted that given the scenario, Rahul might be tempted to leave LSG ahead of the mega auction later this year.

Talking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag said, "The owner's role should be that when they meet the players in the dressing room or during a press meet, they should only talk to motivate them. But if the owner comes and asks - 'What is going on? What's the problem?' or gets hold of one of the team management members and starts to raise questions about a particular player...see the coaches and the captain run the team, so it is better for these owners not to get involved with players or get angry with me."

Also read: IPL 2024: Fan touches MS Dhoni’s feet during GT tie as Mahi continues merry run with late sixes – WATCH

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'This is a business where you have to do nothing at all'

Sehwag added, "These are all businessmen. They only understand profit and loss. But here, there is no loss, so what's bothering them? You are earning a 400-crore profit. I mean, this is a business where you have to do nothing at all. You have guys to take care of that, and irrespective of what happens, you are earning profit. So you're work should only be to motivate the players. What happens is that the player will think that there are other franchises in the IPL, if I leave, someone else will take me. And if you lose a player, your chances of winning are zero. When I left Punjab, they were fifth. They never came fifth in any other seasons."

Rahul-led LSG will lock horns with Delhi Capitals (DC), in New Delhi, in their next clash which will take place on Tuesday (May 14). They will be eager to win their remaining two games to ease their process of entering the playoffs.