Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is one of two newest teams in the IPL. LSG have played three seasons and qualified for the playoffs twice, with IPL 2024 the only season where they failed to qualify.

However, LSG failed to qualify for the final, and the fans, alongside the management, will be expecting them to get past that hurdle and eventually lift their first title in IPL 2025.

LSG has some quality players in KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, Quinton de Kock, Ravi Bishnoi, Krunal Pandya, Mayank Yadav & Mohsin Khan. Hence, it’s going to be a tricky situation for the Lucknow management in deciding whom to retain.

Before talking about which players should the Lucknow Super Giants retain, let’s first understand the retention rules ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2025.

IPL 2025 Retention Rules

Teams are allowed to retain up to six players either through direct retentions or using the Right to Match (RTM). There is no limit for the retentions of overseas players but teams can retain a maximum of two uncapped players. Any Indian player who last played in International cricket 5+ years ago and has no central contract from the BCCI can be retained as an “uncapped player”.

RTMs will depend on the number of retentions (6 – No. of Players Retained). The salary caps for the retained players is:

• 1st Retention: 18 Crores
• 2nd Retention: 14 Crores
• 3rd Retention: 11 Crores
• 4th Retention: 18 Crores
• 5th Retention: 14 Crores
• Uncapped Player: 4 Crores

So teams will have to be cautious while retaining the 4th & 5th player as releasing them now and buying them back using the RTM may be a better deal as there aren’t many players who will fetch more than what the amount they’ll be retained for.

Who will LSG retain in IPL 2025: Big Changes Coming Up or Just Rumours?

KL Rahul

LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka had a heated conversation with skipper KL Rahul on the field after LSG lost a game and failed to qualify for the playoffs. Since then, there have been rumours (or reports and updates – call it whatever you like) floating around that Rahul will be released by LSG ahead of IPL 2025.

We don’t know if it’s true or not, but in an ideal scenario, you don’t expect teams to release players like KL Rahul. So we’ll assume that KL Rahul will continue at LSG for IPL 2025.

Rahul has been amongst the top run-scorer in the IPL in the last few years. He has been very consistent and has scored 600+ runs four times in the last seven seasons. But his approach and intent is the issue as his batting strike rate has been under 140 in the last six seasons. KL Rahul is a quality batter and if he can bat freely with an aggressive approach, he’ll be unstoppable in the IPL.

Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran is currently, without any doubts, the best T20 batter in world cricket. He has been scoring runs for fun in the last couple of years, especially in the last 12 months. LSG will surely retain him for IPL 2025, maybe even ahead of Rahul.

Pooran has 1,867 runs in 54 T20 innings in 2024 at an average of 47.90 at a strike rate of 161.60, including 13 fifties and a century. He was exceptional in the last IPL where he scored 499 runs at an average of 62.40 and struck at 178.20. Pooran is match-winner and there is also a chance he could be appointed captain.

Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav was the find of the IPL 2024. He bowled at 150 km/h+ consistently and was very exciting to watch. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury after playing just four matches, after picking up seven wickets at an economy of 6.99 and a strike rate of 10.40.

LSG would’ve retained him as an uncapped player for just 4 crores but Mayank played for India in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh. Despite that, LSG should retain him. He’s a young domestic bowler who can win games single-handedly on his day and will go for a huge amount in the auction.

Mohsin Khan (Uncapped)

Mohsin Khan is another young Indian pace bowler who has performed well for LSG. The left-arm seamer has had his fitness issues, but is a great asset when fit. He hits the bat hard, can bowl with the new ball and then towards the end of the innings as well.

Mohsin has 27 wickets in 23 IPL games at an economy of 8.51 in the IPL. Despite not completing a full IPL season in three years, getting a good Indian pacer for just 4 crores is a good deal for LSG. Of course, managing him will be key.

RTM Options for Lucknow Super Giants

Ravi Bishnoi

Ravi Bishnoi has been Lucknow’s lead spinner in the IPL. He is wicket-taker and has done well for India in T20Is, too. Bishnoi has picked up 39 wickets in three seasons for Lucknow at an economy of 8.77.

Bishnoi may not have had a great IPL 2024, but he’s just 24 years old and a quality bowler whom LSG should retain using RTM in the auction.

Lucknow also has the likes of Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Quinton de Kock, Devdutt Padikkal & Ayush Badoni in their squad. But I don’t feel any of them are worth retaining or even using the RTM for. LSG may consider using it for De Kock but honestly there will be quite a few wicket-keeping openers in the auction, so it doesn’t really makes sense.

Krunal has been far from his best in the last few seasons and they can get him directly from the auction. In the case of Marcus Stoinis, they shouldn’t go for a huge amount as there will be the likes of Aaron Hardie or Azmatullah Omarzai in the auction who can play similar role and won’t cost a lot of money.

It’s a good opportunity for LSG to build a strong squad around their retained players and finally lift their first title in the IPL.