Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) find themselves in a vulnerable position ahead of IPL 2025 auction despite making five retentions. Stars, including skipper KL Rahul, have been released by the team as they aim to hit the reset button ahead of the next season. LSG have retained West Indies star Nicholas Pooran, spinner Ravi Bishnoi, injury-prone Mayank Yadav, inexperienced Ayush Badoni and uncapped Mohsin Khan. The team is now tasked to build a well-balanced bowling and batting unit in the upcoming auction despite having a purse constraint.
The KL Rahul void for LSG in IPL 2025
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are on the hunt for a new keeper-batter after parting ways with KL Rahul. The Karnataka batter was associated with the side since the team’s entry into IPL and has captained the side for multiple reasons. Despite that, Rahul could not reach an agreement with the franchise on his retention and will now go under the hammer on November 24-25.
While there are reports that suggest that Pooran is likely to be the next LSG skipper, it has not been confirmed. Rahul has not been in great form over the last few years in IPL, finishing with double digit scores despite playing majority of the games. To make matters worse, his captaincy in IPL 2024 was questioned, with the star finding himself being lectured by the team owner after the thrashing at the hands of SRH. However, LSG will bear the brunt of losing a valuable player like KL Rahul who has over 4000 runs in his IPL career and is one of the most-experienced players.
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Mayank Yadav gamble
Young Mayank Yadav made waves with his fiery 150+ kmph deliveries in the first three matches of IPL 2024. However, the pacer has spent more time warming the bench and being on the sidelines than getting some game time. Yadav has a history of injuries ever since he was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants in 2022. While he has been retained by LSG for a whooping Rs 11 cr ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, LSG might be boggled by their gamble on an inconsistent and injury prone Mayank Yadav.
Lack of batters
The side retained just Pooran and Badoni as batters ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. The likes of Quinton de Kock, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Kyle Myers and other stars have been released by the franchise. This means LSG would to build a fresh batting unit. While Pooran and Badoni have been regulars in LSG’s XI over the years and have been consistent as well, the side needs to fill the void that has been created by the departure of senior players.
What about LSG’s bowlers?
As for the bowling department, LSG are armed with one spinner and two pacers already. While Mayank Yadav’s future remains uncertain, Mohsinh Khan made a name for himself in IPL 2024 and will surely be a part of the XI. So will the experienced campaigner Ravi Bishnoi. The side will be on the hunt for new pacers and spinners after releasing the likes of Marcus Stoinis, Krishnappa Gowtham, Shamar Joseph, Amit Mishra, Naveen-ul-Haq and others.
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