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Sanjiv Goenka, owner of the Lucknow Super Giants, addressed the rumors about the franchise potentially making a high-profile bid for Indian T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma.
In an interview with SportsTak, Goenka did not provide a definitive response but noted that while every team would like to acquire top players, it isn’t as straightforward as simply purchasing them for a large sum. He clarified that there is no confirmation regarding Rohit Sharma’s retention by his current team or his desire to move from Mumbai Indians.
In response to the rumours, Goenka responded, “You tell me first whether you or anyone else knows whether Rohit Sharma is coming in the auction? No one does so this is all pointless. Whether Mumbai Indians are going to release Rohit Sharma, whether Rohit Sharma is going to come in the auction and even if he does, spending 50 per cent of your purse on a player then what would we do for the other 22 players?”
“When it comes to a wishlist, you would want the best player and best captain. It is not just about wanting, it’s about what you have and what you can do with that,” he added
The franchise owner emphasized the need to manage the budget carefully to maximize value and assemble a competitive squad. The Lucknow Super Giants underperformed last season, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their three-year IPL history.
With speculation that skipper KL Rahul might step down from his leadership role to concentrate on his batting, it remains uncertain whether the franchise will appoint a new captain. As the mega-auctions approach, teams are keenly awaiting the retention policies to plan their next moves.
Additionally, the franchise recently announced the appointment of former Indian fast-bowler Zaheer Khan as their new mentor, marking a new chapter following Gautam Gambhir’s departure. With this new addition, the team aims to revitalize its approach and rebuild its squad for the IPL 2025 mega-auction.