Suniel Shetty Opens Up on KL Rahul-Sanjiv Goenka IPL Feud: ‘The World Was Passing Statements’
The high-octane world of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is no stranger to controversy, but few moments in recent history have sparked as much debate as the public fallout between star cricketer KL Rahul and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka. After months of silence, veteran Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has finally opened up about the incident that saw his son-in-law being unceremoniously reprimanded on national television.
In a candid conversation with Lehren Retro, Shetty shared intimate details about how the family navigated the storm following the 2024 IPL season and the subsequent shift that saw Rahul move to Delhi Capitals.
The Feud That Shook the IPL
The tension traces back to a crushing defeat LSG suffered against Sunrisers Hyderabad in May 2024. Following the match, cameras captured a visibly animated Sanjiv Goenka engaging in a heated discussion with the then-captain, KL Rahul, on the field. The footage went viral, drawing sharp criticism from fans and former cricketers who felt the public "dressing down" was uncalled for.
Reflecting on that period, Suniel Shetty noted that while the family was aware of the outside noise, they chose to maintain a dignified silence. “People feel that way about him and he is aware of that, he has got all the love and sympathy. He never said a word till date. He has never talked about it, we never discussed that at home,” Shetty revealed.
‘It Hurt Him’: Suniel Shetty on the Emotional Toll
Despite the stoic front, Shetty admitted that the situation wasn't easy to witness. “Of course, it hurt him, because the world is seeing. The world wanted to take decisions, and the world was passing statements. But, those are not our statements,” the actor said.
Shetty also offered a compassionate perspective on Goenka’s outburst, suggesting that external pressures often dictate such moments. “Maybe, Sanjeev ji was going through something in his life at that period and that’s how we saw it,” he added, choosing to look past the friction.
From LSG to Delhi Capitals: The 'Cold Handshake'
The ripple effects of the 2024 feud were felt long after the season ended. Rahul was notably not retained by LSG for the 2025 season and was subsequently picked up by Delhi Capitals for a staggering ₹14 crore.
The drama reached a fever pitch in April 2025 when Rahul, now leading Delhi Capitals, faced his former team. After securing a match-winning victory, a viral video showed Rahul sharing what fans described as a "cold handshake" with Goenka. While Goenka had previously tried to downplay the friction by calling Rahul a "shareef insaan" (decent person), the distant interaction on the field suggested that the wounds of the past had not entirely healed.
A Proud Father-in-Law’s Superstitions
Beyond the controversies, Suniel Shetty remains Rahul’s biggest cheerleader, albeit a superstitious one. The actor confessed that he cannot bring himself to watch Rahul bat live.
“I watch all the matches but I never watch when Rahul is playing,” he shared. “Yesterday also, Ahan was watching, I didn’t go inside. I don’t know if it’s superstition or I get anxious. I watch him later in highlights, for sure.”
For Shetty, the pride lies in Rahul’s identity as a representative of the country. “The biggest high for me is Rahul representing the country itself. If he is captain, vice-captain, or leading from the front, responsible for India’s victory, that’s a big high for us automatically,” he concluded.
Family Life and New Beginnings
Amidst the professional transitions, 2025 has been a year of personal joy for the family. KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty, who tied the knot in early 2023, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Evaarah, in March 2025. As Rahul continues to excel with the Delhi Capitals, the family appears focused on this new chapter, leaving the "Ekana stadium ghosts" firmly in the past.