Picture Credit: X
With the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) set to get underway from Saturday, March 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the talks around Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)’s injury ridden squad has once again come under the raddar. While Mayank Yadav is set to miss first half of IPL 2025, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan and Akash Deep’s fitness has also come into the radar.
Seeing the pace quartet still far from fit, the Rishabh Pant franchise has approached Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed. On Friday, March 21, the pacer himself revealed that LSG enquired, asking for his availability for the season. He also revealed that they asked if he would be able to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
If I get a call from anyone, I hope I will get the NOC this time: Taskin Ahmed confirms availability to feature in IPL 2025
Speaking to the reporters, Taskin Ahmed said, "The contact was made because... In the mega auction, no Bangladeshi player was picked. In big tournaments, many players are brought in as replacements. Lucknow had contacted me in this regard. They asked if I was available, as they were considering me for a replacement if needed. They were checking whether I would get an NOC if called as a replacement.”
The 29-year-old also reassured that if any franchise approaches him, he will be available to play. “If I get a call from anyone, I hope I will get the NOC this time..” Taskin said. "If they need me, that's the first thing. If they need someone and I am fit, then the NOC request is considered. I have spoken to the board. If I get a call, there shouldn't be any issues with the NOC, based on the discussions we've had. The first thing is that I need to get the call. If selected, I am hopeful about getting the NOC. Based on my discussions with the board, there shouldn't be any problems with the NOC this year,” he further added.
It is to be noted that none of the Bangladesh players were picked in the IPL 2025 mega auction, held in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) in November 2024. Mustafizur Rahman, who was with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) last season, was released ahead of the mega auction. Previously, Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das have also featured in the IPL, but could not find a team this year.
Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2025 squad
Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Avesh Khan, Abdul Samad, Aryan Juyal, Akash Deep, Shahbaz Ahmad, M. Siddharth, Akash Singh, Digvesh Singh, Himmat Singh, Aryan Juyal, Shamar Joseph, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Prince Yadav, Matthew Breetzke, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Arshini Kulkarni
