Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are reportedly set to retain Nicholas Puran and four Indian youngsters ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) mega auction. KL Rahul, who has captained the team since its inception in 2022, is expected to be left out of Lucknow Super Giants’ save list.
LSG failed to make the playoffs in the IPL 2024 season under the leadership of KL Rahul. They are ranked seventh in the 10-team table. KL Rahul has faced criticism for his captaincy in several matches. He had a heated exchange with franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka after the loss to SRH.
Lucknow super giants to retain Nicholas Puran, Mayank Yadav and Ravi Bishno ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction
Lucknow Super Giants will retain Nicholas Puran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi and non-wickets Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni for the upcoming IPL season, according to ESPNCricinfo. Unless there is a last minute decision by the franchise owners, KL Rahul is unlikely to be a part of the roster.
In the IPL 2024 season, KL Rahul was the leading run-getter for the Super Giants. The Karnataka-born cricketer scored 520 runs in 14 innings at an average of 37.14 and a decent strike rate of 136.12. Pooran scored 499 runs at an impressive average of 62.38 and an excellent strike rate of 178.21.
Nicholas Pooran will be the best catcher for LSG
The report further added that Nicholas Pooran will be the top catch for Lucknow Super Giants followed by Mayank Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi. The star West Indies cricketer also served as interim captain and wicketkeeper during Rahul’s absence in the previous season of IPL.
“The exact amount the five players have signed up for is not yet known, but as per the retention boards put up by the IPL, INR 51 crore will be deducted from LSG’s purse. If the total amount paid to the five players is more than 51 crore, then the higher figure will be given to each franchise by the IPL The INR 120 crore given to build their squads for 2025 will be deducted from their purse,” said a report by ESPNCricinfo.
Mayank Yadav won two man of the match awards
Pooran was bought by LSG for Rs 16 crore ahead of the 2023 season. The southpaw entered the IPL auction in 2017 when he was bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 30 lakh. The following season, he moved to Punjab Kings for Rs 4.2 crore and was bought by SRH in the 2022 auction for Rs 10.75 crore.
Mayank Yadav won two Man of the Match awards, but a side strain limited him to four games in IPL 2024. Mayank was bought by LSG for 20 lakhs. Bishnoi was picked for Rs 4 crore ahead of the 2022 season. Badoni and Mohsin have been noted for their impressive performances with LSG.
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