IPL 2025: KL Rahul blocked by Lucknow Supergiants ahead of Mega Auction Retentions
Published - 23 Oct 2024, 10:55 AM | Updated - 23 Oct 2024, 11:26 AM
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As the deadline for the retention list for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) approaches, all ten franchises are busy finalizing their combinations. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are reportedly unlikely to retain captain and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul for the upcoming season of the T20 tournament.
The deadline for submitting the retention list for the IPL 2025 is October 31. The BCCI allows each team to retain up to five players, and the Right-To-Match option is also available. There's been news that several star players might be available in the upcoming mega auction, set to take place later this year.
KL Rahul To Be Released By Lucknow Super Giants
There has been growing uncertainty about KL Rahul’s future with the Lucknow Super Giants. As per reports, Rahul did not receive backing from the LSG management before the retention deadline. The Indian cricketer is expected to part ways with LSG and explore opportunities with other teams in the IPL.
A report from the Times of India revealed that LSG mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer analyzed KL Rahul's performance last season. Zaheer and Langer believed that the wicketkeeper-batter hurt the team with his batting performances and lower strike rate.
"The LSG management, including mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer, has analyzed his stats and it has emerged that the team has almost lost all matches where KL has batted long and scored runs. That indicates that his strike rate doesn't match the momentum of the game. With the Impact Player rule, the scores are getting higher. You can't afford to have someone taking so much time at the top of the order," an IPL source told the paper.
KL Rahul's LSG failed to finish in the top four during the IPL 2024 season. LSG ended in seventh place, with seven wins from 14 matches. Rahul faced criticism for his leadership, particularly after a heavy 10-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. He had an animated chat with franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka.
KL Rahul for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL
| Year | M | I | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | SR | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 616 | 103* | 51.33 | 2 | 4 | 135.38 | 30 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 274 | 74 | 34.25 | 0 | 2 | 113.22 | 4 |
| 2024 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 520 | 82 | 37.14 | 0 | 4 | 136.12 | 19 |
| Total | 38 | 38 | 4 | 1410 | 103* | 41.47 | 2 | 10 | 130.67 | 53 |
Mayank Yadav Likely to Be Retained by LSG for IPL 2025
Emerging fast bowler Mayank Yadav is expected to be retained by LSG. Mayank is likely among the franchise's top three choices. However, LSG hasn't completely ruled out bidding for Rahul during the auction. The Super Giants might retain uncapped players like Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan.
"Mayank is LSG's find. They invested in him when no one knew of him and he has shown what kind of impact he can have on a match," the report further said.
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