Lucknow took a different route by releasing Rahul; Stoinis and de Kock among main auction targets – Firstpost

KL Rahul has become synonymous with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ever since they launched their IPL bow in 2022. However, after three years of collaboration, LSG decided that they wanted to take a different approach as they wanted to break their IPL duck. They ended up retaining five players, four of whom were Indian and two of whom were uncapped.

Which players did MSU retain?

Nicholas Pooran (playing abroad) – Rs 21 crore

Mayank Yadav (capped) – Rs 11 crore

Ravi Bishnoi (cap) – Rs 11 crore

Ayush Badoni (without cap) – Rs 4 crore

Mohsin Khan (without cap) – Rs 4 crore

Wallet balance: Rs 69 crore

The Thought Process Behind MSU Retention

Puran is one of the most destructive batters in the world. He can get over the fence at will, pick up the pace and turn, and also gives them the ability to keep wicket. Pooran has experience as a captain and stood in for Rahul last season, meaning he could also captain LSG.

Also read | Complete list of retained and released players from all 10 IPL teams.

No Indian cricketer has created as much buzz in the last six months as Mayank Yadav. Capable of hitting above 145 quite consistently, he can quicken the pulse and win LSG cricket games. Mohsin Khan, although not as fast, has also proven to be a valuable asset (whenever available) for the franchise with his left-arm angle and ability to hit to the death.

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Meanwhile, Ravi Bishnoi was on the periphery of the national team. He has been a reliable performer for LSG and has the potential to become the best T20 spinner in the country. Ayush Badoni, although not as consistent as Bishnoi, has shown glimpses of his talent and with Indian middle-order batters often commanding high prices at auction, his retained price seems a bargain.

Possible auction strategy

They need quite a lot of batters, especially the top-order ones, given that Badoni and Pooran often batted in the back half of the innings for LSG. They may need a captain, although Puran is more than capable of steering their ship.

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LSG already have three Indian bowlers but they will likely need an overseas player (at least) and a few more Indian seam bowling options in light of Mayank and Mohsin’s injuries. Of particular interest to them may also be the spin bowling all-rounders who could feature in the top five.

Players MSU will most likely target in the auction

There will be several all-rounders on the line. The obvious one would be Marcus Stoinis, who used to play for the franchise. His Australian teammate Glenn Maxwell could also be a target and could form an irresistible middle-order pairing with Pooran.

Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra could also be in the list. A slightly unconventional suggestion would be Roston Chase, who can be used as a floater and has the ability to phase. Washington Sundar, among the Indians, has a similar skill set and is in good form.

As part of the top order, Quinton de Kock can be bought out via RTM. Devon Conway also has a great record in the IPL as an opener. Evin Lewis represents a more cavalier option, and with LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka quipping that they want players “who put the team first before their personal goals”, they may also be interested in Phil Salt. Or his England captain Jos Buttler.

As for the Indian batters, Nitish Rana seems ideal to fill the gaps that MSU currently has. Rahul Tripathi, who may not be as hotly pursued by teams as he was in 2022, could be a good option, while Mayank Agarwal could be another alternative. Given their penchant for all-rounders, don’t rule out Venkatesh Iyer.

Also read | IPL 2025 Retention: Top RTM Candidates in Upcoming Mega Auction

Historically, MSU has preferred to have one high-quality foreign player (at least), which has led to a reckoning with the usual suspects – Josh Hazlewood, Kagiso Rabadas and Mitchell Starks.

Mustafizur Rahman can also be quite valuable, apart from Naveen-ul-Haq, who the franchise knows quite well. Among the Indian players, Yash Thakur is a bowler they would like to buy out, plus maybe someone like Prasidh Krishna (if they have the money).

Like all teams, MSU has some work to do in the auction. But they will be satisfied with what they currently have and where they are.