KL Rahul's Fiery Jersey-Point Celebration Steals Spotlight in DC’s Dominance Over LSG in IPL 2025

KL Rahul delivered a masterclass, guiding Delhi Capitals (DC) to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over his former franchise, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), in the 40th match of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) on April 22. 

Chasing a modest 160-run target, Rahul’s unbeaten 57 runs off 42 balls, laced with a match-sealing six, clinched the game. He also marked his 5,000th IPL run during the innings, making him the fastest to reach the milestone in just 130 innings. After the match ended, the spotlight, however, transferred to his icy celebration.

As KL Rahul smashed the winning boundary, he pointed his bat towards the name and number on his jersey, sending a powerful statement in front of a packed Lucknow crowd. This celebration, devoid of his usual calm demeanor, echoed his earlier act against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he thumped his bat into the ground and marked his territory after scoring a match-winning 93 runs. 

In Lucknow, the gesture carried extra weight, coming against the team he led for three seasons before a public fallout with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in 2024.

Also read: "Heartbreaking To Hear About The Attack" - Shubman Gill & Indian Cricketers share heartfelt condolences for Pahalgam Terror Attack

KL Rahul Ignores Sanjiv Goenka 

Rahul’s post-match interaction, or lack thereof, with the LSG owner became a talking point. As the teams lined up for handshakes, Goenka appeared to extend a gesture, but Rahul, with a fleeting handshake, walked away, barely acknowledging the owner. 

A viral video captured the moment in which Goenka could be seen attempting to engage only to be met with Rahul’s cold shoulder, suggesting the wounds from their 2024 spat remain fresh.

This subtle snub was seen as a continuation of Rahul’s response to Goenka’s public criticism last season, which led to LSG releasing him before the 2025 auction. 

Rahul, now thriving with DC, let his bat do the talking, guiding his team to a commanding win alongside Abishek Porel’s 51 runs and Axar Patel’s 34* runs. 

The victory propelled DC closer to the playoffs with six wins in eight matches, while LSG is stuck in fifth place on the IPL 2025 points table, winning five of their nine games.

For Latest IPL 2025 Updates 

IPL 2025 Tournament Details

IPL 2025 Tournament Schedule

IPL 2025: Where to Watch Live