Suniel Shetty Reveals KL Rahul and Sanjiv Goenka’s Infamous IPL Fallout Hurt Him

Actor Suniel Shetty recently broke his silence on the 2024 IPL controversy involving his son-in-law, cricketer KL Rahul, and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka. In a candid interview, Shetty revealed that while the public outburst significantly “hurt” Rahul, the cricketer chose to remain dignified and never discussed the incident with his family.

The controversy dates back to a 2024 match where Goenka was seen having a heated, animated discussion with Rahul on the field following a crushing defeat. Shetty reflected on the moment with empathy, suggesting that the team owner might have been under personal stress at the time. “He never said a word till date,” Shetty said of Rahul. “We never discussed that at home. Maybe, Sanjeev ji was going through something in his life at that period, and that’s how we saw it.”

A Father-in-Law’s Perspective

Despite his pride in Rahul’s career, Suniel Shetty admitted to a quirky habit: he avoids watching live matches when Rahul is on the field. The actor cited anxiety or perhaps a bit of superstition for his decision to stick to highlights instead.

“The biggest high for me is Rahul representing the country itself… but I never watch when Rahul is playing. I only watch the highlights then.”

Transition to Delhi Capitals

The fallout marked the beginning of the end for Rahul’s tenure with LSG. After not being retained ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, the wicketkeeper-batter moved to Delhi Capitals for a staggering ₹14 crore. His debut season with Delhi was prolific, as he crossed the 5,000-run milestone in the IPL and played a key role in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy victory. Reports indicate that Rahul has been retained by Delhi Capitals for the upcoming 2026 season.

Key Highlights of the Incident