Lucknow Super Giants

IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants Likely To Retain Five Players

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) confirmed that Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi are set to be retained for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The uncapped duo Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan will stay with the franchise as well.

KL Rahul Remains Uncertain At Lucknow Super Giants

KL Rahul is the skipper, however it might happen that the captain and player could both not be retained in case of drastic change on both ends. Thus, LSG would remain with just one RTM card available for auctioning.

LSG’s Budget

Although the retained players’ numbers have not been announced yet, the cut on the LSG budget is expected to be around INR 51 crores. In case the five retained players are more than the reported amount, the total cut will be made from the overall IPL 2025 purse of INR 120 crores.

Nicholas Pooran: A Star Performer

The sources indicate that Pooran would be the number one retainer, followed by Mayank and Bishnoi. During the 2024 season, Pooran was in excellent form as he finished only second to Rahul. He also served as the replacement captain and wicket-keeper during the injury times of Rahul. Pooran is a 29-year-old power-hitter who was bought by LSG for INR 16 crore before the 2023 season. His market value has gone through the roof since his IPL debut in 2017.

Mayank Yadav’s Promising Start

Mayank Yadav, for instance, is another highly talented fast bowler, who took two consecutive games as Player-of-the-Match in IPL 2024. He got short of playing just four games due to a side strain. He did find an entry into the group of fast bowlers formed by the national selectors sooner rather than later. INR 20 lakhs LSG spent to auction in 2024 but could play seven matches as many as the last International.

Ravi Bishnoi: The Star Bowler

Ravi Bishnoi, retained for INR 4 crore before the 2022 mega auction, has been an integral part of the LSG bowling unit. He took 13 wickets at a very decent average in 2022 and was again excellent the following year with 16 wickets, as he guided LSG to playoffs both seasons. But his season was a bit disappointing when he could manage only 10 wickets in 14 matches.

Unrestricted Talents: Badoni and Mohsin

Uncapped talents Badoni and Mohsin Khan, signed for INR 20 lakhs this year, are another such assets the franchise will also look to hold onto as long as possible. Last season, Badoni looked a force to be reckoned with as a new-age aggressive middle-order battler, scoring 238 runs at a strike-rate of 138, further impressing in the Emerging Series for India A. Mohsin, with raw left-arm fast-bowling talent, bowled his way to 14 scalps in just nine appearances in his first season with a franchise. Although he had a severe injury, he recovered successfully in 2023 and finished the 2024 season with 10 wickets in 10 matches.

Future Outlook 

In the near future, with such smart retention, LSG will strengthen their team and perform well in IPL 2025.

The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye

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