LSG IPL 2025 Retention: Lucknow adopt a different tack by releasing Rahul; Stoinis and de Kock among top auction targets

KL Rahul has been synonymous with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) since they made their IPL bow in 2022. After three years of association, though, LSG have decided that they want to adopt a different tack as they look to break their IPL duck. They ended up retaining five players – four of whom are Indians, and two of whom are uncapped.

Which players have LSG retained?

Nicholas Pooran (capped, overseas) – Rs 21 crore

Mayank Yadav (capped) – Rs 11 crore

Ravi Bishnoi (capped) – Rs 11 crore

Ayush Badoni (uncapped) – Rs 4 crore

Mohsin Khan (uncapped) – Rs 4 crore

Purse remaining: Rs 69 crore

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Thought process behind LSG’s retentions

Pooran is one of the most destructive batters in the world. He can clear the fence at will, smash pace and spin, and provides them with a wicket-keeping option. Pooran has prior captaincy experience and deputised for Rahul last season, meaning that he could double up as LSG captain as well.

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No Indian cricketer, in the past six months, has generated as much buzz as Mayank Yadav. Capable of hitting speeds north of 145 rather consistently, he can set pulses racing and win LSG games of cricket. Mohsin Khan, while not as rapid, has also proven a bankable asset (whenever fit) for the franchise with his left-arm angle and ability to bowl at the death.

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Ravi Bishnoi, meanwhile, has been on the fringes of the national side. He has been a dependable performer for LSG and has the potential to be the premier T20 spinner in the country. Ayush Badoni, while not as consistent as Bishnoi, has shown glimpses of his talent and given Indian middle-order batters are often expensive at auctions, his retention price seems a bargain.

Possible Auction Strategy

They need quite a few batters and especially those who bat at the top, considering Badoni and Pooran have often batted in the back half of the innings for LSG. They might need a captain, although Pooran is more than capable of steering their ship.

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LSG already have three Indian bowlers tied down but they will likely need an overseas pacer (at least) and a few more Indian seam-bowling options, in light of Mayank and Mohsin’s injury record. Spin-bowling all-rounders who can bat in the top five, might also be of particular interest to them.

Players LSG are likely to target in the auction

There will be several all-rounders up for grabs. The obvious one would be Marcus Stoinis, who has played for the franchise before. His Australian teammate Glenn Maxwell could also be a target and could form an irresistible middle-order pair with Pooran.

Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra could also be in the mix. A slightly out-of-the-box suggestion could be Roston Chase, who can be used as a floater and is capable of bowling across phases. Washington Sundar, among Indians, has a similar skill-set and is in a rich vein of form.

For the top order, Quinton de Kock could be bought back via RTM. Devon Conway also has an excellent IPL record as an opener. Evin Lewis represents a more cavalier option and with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka quipping they want players ‘who put the team first before their personal goals’, they might also be interested in Phil Salt. Or, his England captain Jos Buttler.

Coming to Indian batters, Nitish Rana seems perfect to fill the gaps LSG currently seem to have. Rahul Tripathi, who may not be as fervently-pursued by teams as he was in 2022, could be a good option, with Mayank Agarwal another alternative. Given their penchant for all-rounders, don’t rule out Venkatesh Iyer either.

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Historically, LSG have liked having one high-quality overseas pacer (at least), which brings the usual suspects – the Josh Hazlewoods, the Kagiso Rabadas and the Mitchell Starcs – into reckoning.

Mustafizur Rahman could also be quite valuable, in lieu of the conditions, apart from Naveen-ul-Haq, who the franchise know pretty well. Among Indian pacers, Yash Thakur is a bowler they’d like to buy back, plus, perhaps, someone like Prasidh Krishna (if they have the cash).

Like all teams, there is a fair bit to do at the auction table for LSG. But they will be satisfied with what they have currently, and where they are placed.