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According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, barring any last-minute change of mind from both parties, KL Rahul is unlikely to be retained by LSG.
LSG is set to retain Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi ahead of IPL 2025 mega auctions. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Lucknow Super Giants is all set to retain West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran, along with Indian pace sensation Mayank Yadav and former world No. 1 T20I bowler Ravi Bishnoi, ahead of IPL 2025 mega auctions. According to a report in ESPNCricinfo on Monday (October 28), in addition to Pooran, Mayank, and Bishnoi, the Lucknow-based franchise will also continue its association with uncapped Indian players Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan, but KL Rahul, who joined LSG for Rs 17 crore ahead of IPL 2022 mega auctions and led them in the last three seasons, is unlikely to be retained barring any last-minute change of mind from both parties.
Pooran joined LSG for Rs 16 crore in the IPL 2023 auction and is set to the top retention, followed by Mayank and Bishnoi. Mayank made his IPL debut in 2024 and made headlines for bowling in excess of 150 kmph. He was, however, only able to play four matches in the season due to injury-related issues.
The 22-year-old Delhi-based pacer recently got a chance to become an India player as well. He played his maiden T20I for Men in Blue in Gwalior on October 6, 2024, against Bangladesh and picked up one wicket. Overall in three T20Is, Mayank has four wickets to his name.
Former West Indies T20I captain Pooran, who has also played for Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, has been in red-hot form in 2024. He scored 499 runs in IPL 2024 for LSG and also served as the team’s captain in the absence of Rahul. The left-handed batter holds the world record for scoring most T20 runs in a calendar year, along with smashing the highest sixes.
Bishnoi, on the other hand, joined LSG ahead of IPL 2022 mega auctions and is the all-time leading wicket-taker for the franchise in the world’s richest franchise cricket league.
The exact amount the five players for is not yet known, but based on the IPL 2025 retention slabs, at least Rs 51 crore will be deducted from LSG’s purse. If the amount paid to the five players exceeds 51 crore, then the higher number will be deducted from the Rs 120 crore purse each franchise has been given to build their squads for IPL 2025.
