As per reports, Lucknow Super Giants have retained Nicholas Pooran as their number 1 pick in the IPL 2025 Retention List. This also means, that KL Rahul won’t be a part of the setup and will be under the hammer in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. While Pooran has been retained, it remains to be seen who will captain LSG in the upcoming edition of the IPL.
Despite multiple meetings, KL Rahul and RPSG owner Sanjiv Goenka met and discussed quite a few times, but the duo couldn’t reach an understanding. Moreover, KL Rahul didn’t want to continue with the Lucknow franchise and thus would find himself in the mega auction.
New captain for Lucknow Super Giant?
The writing was on the wall after KL Rahul and Sanjiv Goenka’s spat last season in the Indian Premier League. But now as 24 hours remain for the IPL 2025 Retention Day, KL Rahul is not going to be retained. In fact, it is the Caribbean hard hitter Nicholas Pooran who has been retained for a price of 18 crores.
On the other hand, reports have emerged that Pooran isn’t likely to be the captain of the side. In fact, LSG will be eyeing a new captain from the auction. LSG has its retention list set. Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, and Ayush Badoni will join Pooran as the five retained players.
- IPL 2025 Auction Day 1: Franchises spend Rs 467.95 Cr for 72 players, Rishabh Pant most expensive
- Aye, Aye Captain! Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul switch IPL franchises to be certain skippers
- CSK full squad for IPL 2025: 7 players bought, Rs 39.40 crore spent on Day 1
- MI Squad List IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians buy 4 players on Day 1 ft. Trent Boult
- IPL Auction 2025: Full list of unsold players in mega auction
LSG will head into the mega auction with a budget of 69 crores. And in all possibilities, Rishabh Pant will be a prime target for the Lucknow outfits. But under no circumstances will Rishabh Pant go for a small amount. In fact, it will be massively difficulty for LSG to get Pant.
Furthermore, if KKR’s skipper Shreyas Iyer heads into the auction, then Iyer too will be a big target for the Lucknow outfits.