Handshake, hug as LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka hosts KL Rahul for dinner. See pics

Lucknow Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise co-owner Sanjiv Goenka hosted KL Rahul for a special dinner at his residence in New Delhi on Monday, May 13. The dinner meeting came a day before LSG's crucial IPL 2024 game against Delhi in the capital city. Sanjiv Goenka was seen embracing KL Rahul during the meeting and photos of the dinner hosted by the co-owner went viral on social media.

KL Rahul was upbeat and looking in good spirits as he spent time with owner Sanjiv Goenka ahead of one of the most crucial matches of the season for LSG. The meeting comes days after the two 'robust cricket lovers' were seen having an animated chat at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad after LSG's 10-wicket defeat to SunRisers.

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KL Rahul, wearing a white t-shirt, was seen sharing a warm embrace with Sanjiv Goenka during the meeting. LSG will take on Delhi in a must-win IPL 2024 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Speaking on the eve of the big-ticket clash against Delhi, LSG assistant bowling Lance Klusener downplayed the chatter around the animated chat between Sanjiv Goenka and KL Rahul.

"I don't see any problem with some robust discussion between two cricket lovers. So for us, I guess it's just a storm in a teacup. We love a robust discussion. I think that's how teams get better. So, it's not a big thing for us," Klusener said in Delhi on Monday.

Both KL Rahul and Sanjiv Goenka were disappointed after LSG were hammered by 10-wickets by a ruthless SRH side on May 8. Rahul said he was lost for words after Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma went berserk, helping the home team chase down 165 in just 9.4 overs. The big defeat dented LSG's hopes of reaching the playoffs for the third successive year.

LSG, who had a five-day break, will face Delhi on Tuesday and then travel to Mumbai on May 17. LSG are at the 7th spot with 12 points from as many games. However, their negative Net Run Rate (-0.769) is a cause of concern as they will not be assured of a spot in the playoffs even if they win their remaining two games.

Under KL Rahul's captaincy, LSG reached the playoffs in their first two years in the IPL -- 2022 and 2023. LSG need nothing less than a victory in their last two games to retain their hopes of reaching the playoffs.