Rahul was drafted in by the franchise ahead of their first appearance in the lucrative league in 2022, when he was also named skipper of the team. Under his captaincy, LSG reached as far as the Eliminator in 2022 and 2023 seasons, but finished seventh in the recent season. Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise might look up to a different candidate as hinted by LSG and Indian spinner Amit Mishra in a recent interview with a YouTuber, where he shared the team must appoint a player who has the right mindset of T20 as captain. Rahul may also be headed out of the Lucknow-based side after what happened during the 2023 season when he was publicly schooled by the owner following a thumping loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. If Rahul is indeed sacked from captaincy or even opts to be released ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, then LSG will definitely be thinking of naming a new captain for the future. So, who will be on their wish-list? Who will be LSG captain if KL Rahul leaves the side or is removed from the role as skipper? LSG has already played under two different captains apart from Rahul when the regular skipper was ruled out of matches in 2023 and used as an impact player to manage his return from injury in 2024. So, those two players may be the internal soultions if they are retained. As for internal solutions, it will all be decided once the number of retentions is announced by BCCI with reports suggesting teams will be allowed to retain only two players ahead of the Mega Auction. If they are successful in retaining their main overseas players, then there is an obvious option with one of the best T20 batters Nicholas Pooran, who has already led the team, likely to be take on the role permanently. Then there is also an option of Krunal Pandya, who has also led the team in Rahul's absence, but whether he is retained will be the first thing to sort for the franchise with limited slots allowed for the retention window. Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis also is a capable option and could be someone who is very likely to take on the deputy role with Pooran leading the side. Under an Australian coach, Stoinis could also be backed to lead the side. However, the franchise on the whole may stick to Pooran, who has a decent record as captain in international circuit and T20 leagues across the globe. If LSG take the Indian route, then they may keep the powder dry for someone like Rohit Sharma. Rohit has already hinted that IPL 2024 may have been his last for Mumbai Indians after he was removed from captaincy ahead of the season. So, Rohit will be a no-brainer. But the Indian skipper will be on the wishlist of all the franchise if he is available. Unless LSG are able to outbid all the other sides, they may have to look at other options or even settle for Pooran as their only candidate as captain of the side for the next few years.