KL Rahul returns to Lucknow, helps DC beat former franchise

• LSG Release Rahul
• Rahul Scores Classy Fifty

Rahul had blamed a fearful team environment for LSG’s poor campaign last year, where he was the captain of the franchise.

“I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom, where the team atmosphere could be something lighter. Sometimes you need to move away and find something good for yourself," Rahul said in November last year.

LSG Release Rahul

It was no surprise that Rahul was released by the franchise ahead of the mega auction last year. Owner Goenka had said at the time that they wanted players that could perform for the team and put personal goals aside.

“It was a simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win, who put the team before their personal goals and personal aspirations and we wanted to retain as much as of the core we could," Goenka said.

Rahul Scores Classy Fifty

Rahul continued his fine run of form this season with another fifty as he anchored the chase expertly in tricky conditions.

Rahul scored 57 off 42 balls with three fours and three sixes. After the match, Rahul shook hands with most members of the LSG camp, including a quiet exchange with Goenka.

"Just move on, don't carry any baggage from the past," Pujara told ESPNcricinfo. "And that's a good thing. Look, KL is a mature player. Last couple of years, he's been batting well across formats.

“He doesn't want to think about the past and wants to enjoy his batting and be in his zone, rather than think about what went wrong when he was playing for the LSG team.”