KL Rahul set to be released by LSG ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction - Reports

KL Rahul has been the captain of LSG since the 2022 IPL season.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are set to make a significant change to their leadership group ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. After an underwhelming season last year where they finished seventh in the points table, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise is likely to release their captain KL Rahul.

The franchises are required to submit their list of retained players to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by October 31 2024.

On speculated lines, the big name that is likely to be released is Rahul, who has led Lucknow in all of the franchise’s three-year history in the league.

Rahul likely to be released, Pooran to be the first retention

KL Rahul, who has been leading LSG since they made their IPL debut in 2022, is likely to part ways with the franchise.

It has been learned that though Rahul captained Lucknow to two playoff finishes in the first two seasons, the ownership and management are not happy with his batting performance, that is his strike rates. In the last three seasons, Rahul’s strike rates were 135, 113 and 136.

There was a public confrontation between Rahul and franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka at the ground after the team’s loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad last season.

Key retentions

LSG are set to retain Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. They will have one right-to-match (RTM) card at the auction, through which they can still buy back Rahul, but that seems unlikely.

Explosive West Indies batsman Pooran will be the first retention. Pooran had an impactful 2024 season. He was the second-highest run-getter for the team in the last IPL season. Pooran could also be named the new skipper.

Mayank impressed with two Player-of-the-Match performances last season. He also made his international debut against Bangladesh recently in the T20I series, though he remains injury-prone.

Leg-spinner Bishnoi, at LSG since 2022, has consistently produced momentum-turning spells. Bishnoi has been LSG’s go-to bowler in demanding situations. His development with the franchise has been phenomenal and the team is expected to have him third in their retention list.

Badoni and Mohsin were also bought in the IPL 2022 auction and have done well in patches. They are set to continue with the franchise.

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