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KL Rahul’s return to the Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) home ground on Tuesday wasn’t just about cricket—it came with layers of emotion, past controversies, and a viral moment that got everyone talking. From captaining the Sanjiv Goenka-owned LSG between 2022 and 2024 to his dramatic departure and recent comeback in Delhi Capitals (DC) colors, Rahul’s journey made this encounter one of the most anticipated matchups of IPL 2025.
While the official reason for his LSG exit was Rahul’s desire to play with more freedom in a relaxed dressing room environment, rumor mills painted a different picture. A flashpoint came earlier in IPL 2024 when a video went viral showing a visibly animated Sanjiv Goenka engaging in a seemingly heated conversation with Rahul after LSG’s heavy loss to SunRisers Hyderabad. The clip sparked widespread speculation about tensions between the player and the franchise’s top brass.
Shortly afterward, Rahul left LSG and entered the IPL 2025 auction, where he was picked by the Delhi Capitals. On Tuesday, he faced his former franchise for the first time since that departure—and it made for an awkward reunion. After guiding DC to a convincing eight-wicket win with a steady 57* off 44 balls, Rahul shared an uneasy moment with Goenka that quickly went viral.
In the post-match interaction, Rahul barely acknowledged the industrialist, offering a hurried handshake while seemingly ignoring what Goenka was trying to say. The brief but cold exchange lit up social media, adding fuel to speculation about unresolved friction between the two.
Adding to the drama, India batter Hanuma Vihari chimed in on the moment with a cryptic Instagram post simply stating: “Cold hand-shake.” The post drew immediate attention and was widely seen as a reference to the Rahul-Goenka exchange.
Despite the off-field tension, Rahul had a historic night on the pitch. With his unbeaten knock, he became the fastest batter in IPL history to reach 5,000 runs. Achieving the milestone in just 130 innings, Rahul outpaced iconic names like David Warner (135 innings), Virat Kohli (157), AB de Villiers (161), and Shikhar Dhawan (168).
While Rahul’s performance spoke volumes, the icy post-match moment stirred even more discussion. But in a surprising turn, Sanjiv Goenka addressed the situation publicly in a recent episode of the TRS Podcast, where he spoke warmly about his former captain.
“KL Rahul has always been family for me and he will remain that way,” Goenka said. “He captained Lucknow for three years and showed great results during his tenure. I genuinely wish him well, no matter what happens.”
Calling Rahul a “shareef insaan” (a good person), Goenka continued, “He is a very honest person and I wish that everything good happens to an honest person like him. He is also very talented and I hope he displays his talent to the world. I am very sure he will do well. My best wishes are with him.”
As fans debate the meaning behind the viral handshake, Rahul’s composed innings and milestone achievement remain the highlight of the match. Whether the cold handshake was a sign of lingering tension or just an awkward moment in a high-pressure setting, it has undeniably become one of IPL 2025’s most talked-about storylines.
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