During the 2024 IPL, the Lucknow Super Giants were thrust into controversy when owner Sanjiv Goenka openly displayed frustration toward captain KL Rahul after a crucial loss. Goenka’s reaction was seen as unprofessional. This incident fueled speculation about Rahul’s potential departure from the team. Now, reports suggest that KL Rahul may indeed be preparing to bid farewell to the Lucknow Super Giants.
Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2025 Retention
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the Lucknow Super Giants are not planning to retain KL Rahul, meaning he will be available in the IPL auction this year. The last time Rahul was part of the auction was in 2018 when Punjab Kings acquired him for ₹11 crore. Later, in 2022, he was traded from Punjab Kings to Lucknow Super Giants for ₹17 crore.
The report further claims that LSG is set to retain five key players. Nicholas Pooran, who served as vice-captain in IPL 2024, will be among those retained, along with leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and fast bowler Mayank Yadav. Among the uncapped players, Lucknow plans to keep Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni, reinforcing a strong core for the upcoming season.
The report indicates that LSG will spend ₹51 crore of their ₹120 crore purse during this retention process, leaving them with ₹69 crore for the IPL auction. However, with the release of KL Rahul, the franchise may need to allocate a large portion of their remaining funds to secure a top-tier captain.
Several big names are set to be released by Lucknow, including Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Devdutt Padikkal, Kyle Mayers, and Deepak Hooda. However, the retention of Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Ayush Badoni can be considered a positive move.
Pooran is an excellent hitter who can also serve as a wicketkeeper and a backup captain option. Ravi Bishnoi has established himself as a top leg spinner and has cemented his spot in the India T20I team. Mayank Yadav made an impact on IPL debut in 2024. He showcased his talent during the recent Bangladesh T20 series, where he had a fantastic debut for India. He consistently bowls at speeds between 145 and 150 km/h.
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Both uncapped retained players, Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan, are talented prospects. During the retention process, both will earn ₹4 crore. Ayush Badoni has the ability to score quick runs in death overs, while Mohsin Khan has impressed with his pace and accurate line length.