Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain, KL Rahul is likely to be released ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, which is set to happen later this ye ar. According to recent reports making rounds on social media, KL Rahul has refused to be retained by the franchise. This comes ever since the owner of LSG, Sanjiv Goenka and KL Rahul were involved in a heated argument after a big loss after LSG’s defeat in Lucknow.
Although, in the aftermath of the incident, Goenka cleared the air adding that Rahul would be retained, but refrained from commenting about his future as the captain. But the latest reports, quoting NDTV Sports have addressed that LSG are planning to use Right To Match (RTM) in the auction, but not for the Indian wicketkeeper-batter.
LSG to use RTM card for Marcus Stoinis: Reports
According to the report, LSG could exercise the RTM card on Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis over KL Rahul. “While LSG have the option to exercise the RTM for Rahul, the chances of that happening are remote - virtually nil. They may do it for a player like Marcus Stoinis.”
Speaking of KL Rahul, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 4,683 runs in the cash-rich league over the years at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 134. His strike rate has been one of the key concerns as he hasn’t scored at a strike rate of over 140 since the 2019 IPL, hitting as low as 113 in 2023. The 32-year-old Karnataka born player scored 520 runs from 14 matches at an average of 37.14 and a strike rate of 136.13 in IPL 2024. He registered four 50-plus scores, whereas his highest score was only 82.
Mayank Yadav to be among top 3 retentions in IPL 2025 auction: Reports
With a lot going around KL Rahul, according to several reports, young pace sensation Mayank Yadav is set to be one of the key retentions in the LSG colours. Apart from him, the franchise is also going to retain Nicholas Pooran and Ravi Bishnoi. The sources told TOI that Mayank Yadav is its future and one shouldn’t be surprised if he is picked ahead of Ravi Bishnoi in the retention list. The reports have also stated that Ayush Badoni and seamer Mohsin Khan could be retained by the team as uncapped players. The source told TOI, "Mayank is LSG's find. They invested in him when no one knew of him and he has shown what kind of impact he can have on a match.”
However, all reports are set to come to rest with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announcing October 31 as the deadline day for franchises to submit the retention list.
