"If KL Rahul goes to the auction, he will take 18 crores for sure" - Aakash Chopra on LSG's potential retentions ahead of IPL 2025 auction

Aakash Chopra reckons KL Rahul should be the Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) first retention ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. He pointed out that the franchise's skipper will be sold for at least 18 crores if he is allowed to go into the auction.

Rahul amassed 520 runs at a strike rate of 136.12 in 14 innings in IPL 2024. However, his captaincy and slightly defensive approach drew criticism from many experts and it remains to be seen if LSG persist with him at the helm.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that Rahul should be the first among their three capped retentions. He noted that Mayank Yadav, who could have been retained as an uncapped player, will likely become capped in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh.

"They have three players whom they can retain. The fourth could have been as an uncapped Indian because he would not remain uncapped as he will get the India cap before 31st October. I am talking about Mayank Yadav. They would have definitely wanted to retain him but if he gets the India cap, there is no advantage of retaining him. Then you can use the Right To Match card," he said (5:15).

"The first is KL Rahul because you want to make him the captain and he is the face of the franchise. You won't get him for 18 crores in any case. If KL Rahul goes to the auction, he will take 18 crores for sure, and you don't leave the captain in any case. The captain needs to remain for continuity, love and relationship," the former India opener added.

LSG acquired Rahul for ₹17 crore as a draft pick ahead of the last mega auction. Marcus Stoinis (₹10 crore) and Ravi Bishnoi (₹4 crore) were their other draft picks before the IPL 2022 auction.

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"I would say Nicholas Pooran" - Aakash Chopra on LSG's second retention

In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that Nicholas Pooran should be LSG's second capped retention.

"At No. 2, I would say Nicholas Pooran, who they gave 16 crores last time as well, and he is a player of that worth. The sort of performances he has given in T20 cricket, don't even think about it, you have to retain him. He is that good a player," he reasoned (6:05).

The reputed commentator doesn't want the Lucknow-based franchise to retain anyone among Devdutt Padikkal, Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya.

"For the third also, I am not thinking about an Indian. I am not thinking about Devdutt Padikkal or even Ravi Bishnoi because a spinner won't go till 11 crores. I am not thinking about Krunal Pandya. He is good, his skill style is limited in availability, but still I would say no. 11 crores will be too much for Krunal Pandya," Chopra explained.

Chopra reckons Marcus Stoinis should be LSG's third retention.

"The third I am thinking of is Marcus Stoinis because they had retained him for 10 crores earlier as well and he is that game-changer kind of a player. I can only think of three, plus Mayank Yadav if he remains uncapped," he observed.

Chopra concluded by opining that LSG shouldn't think about retaining any other player, including Mark Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, Deepak Hooda and Ayush Badoni. While acknowledging that the experienced Amit Mishra can be retained for four crores as an uncapped player, he added that the franchise would lose an RTM if they keep him.