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After reaching the playoffs in their first two years in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) had a disappointing 2024 season, finishing seventh in the points table. The KL Rahul-led side won seven and lost seven out of their 14 matches.
LSG began their IPL 2024 season with a 20-run loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR), but then briefly flourished, winning three matches in a row. Their campaign, however, lost steam as they won only two of their next five matches. Lucknow Super Giants remained inconsistent during the rest of the season and ended their campaign with three defeats in their last four matches.
With the mega auction coming ahead of the IPL 2025 season, Lucknow will have to put their thinking caps on to pick their six retentions. As per the modified rules for the tournament, each franchise can retain six players either directly or via the Right To Match (RTM) option.
Among retained players, a maximum of five can be capped, while a maximum of two can be uncapped. On that note, here's predicting Lucknow Super Giants' six retentions for IPL 2025.
#1 Nicholas Pooran
West Indies' big-hitting keeper-batter Nicholas Pooran should be among the first names on LSG's retention list for IPL 2025. The southpaw was among the franchise's most effective batters in the 2024 season, hammering 499 runs in 14 matches at an average of 62.38 and a strike rate of 178.21, with three half-centuries to his credit.
The explosive batter slammed 75 off only 29 balls in a clash against Mumbai Indians (MI), clobbering five fours and eight sixes. He also smacked 61 off 27 against Delhi Capitals (DC) with the aid of six fours and four sixes. Overall, Pooran has played 76 IPL games and has a strike rate of 162.29.
#2 KL Rahul
One is unsure whether KL Rahul will stay as LSG captain for the IPL 2025 season. However, it will be a surprise if the Lucknow franchise does not retain him. As a batter, Rahul has consistently produced impressive numbers in the IPL.
In the 2024 edition, the right-handed batter smashed 520 runs in 14 games, averaging 37.14 at a strike rate of 136.13, with four half-centuries.
In the overall list, the 32-year-old is 11th among batters who have scored most runs in the IPL. In 132 matches, he has notched up 4,683 runs at an average of 45.47 and a strike rate of 134.61, with the help of four hundreds and 37 fifties. There are phases when it seems that he is not in control, but his numbers certainly cannot be questioned.
#3 Marcus Stoinis
Australia's batting all-rounder Marcus Stoinis also has a strong chance of being retained by LSG ahead of IPL 2025. The cricketer provides versatility to the batting line-up as he can bat at different positions according to the side's requirements. His bowling might be inconsistent, but he has a knack for breaking partnerships.
The 35-year-old contributed 388 runs in 14 matches for Lucknow in IPL 2024, averaging 32.33 at a strike rate of 147.53. The right-hander scored a sensational hundred against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), clobbering 124* off 63 balls as LSG gunned down a target of 211 in 19.3 overs at Chepauk to stun the home crowd.
#4 Quinton de Kock
South Africa's aggressive opening batter Quinton de Kock is also among the strong candidates to be retained by LSG ahead of IPL 2025. On his day, the southpaw can single-handedly win games for the franchise. In the 2024 season, he contributed 250 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 134.41, with three fifties.
De Kock is third on the list of batters with the most runs for Lucknow Super Giants. In 30 games, he has scored 901 runs, averaging 31.06 at a strike rate of 143.24, with one hundred and seven half-centuries. His best of 140* came off 70 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2022 and featured 10 fours and as many sixes.
#5 Mayank Yadav
Mayank Yadav played only four matches for LSG in IPL 2024 before being ruled out due to a side strain. The young fast bowler, however, did enough to put his name as one of the strong contenders to be retained by the franchise for the 2025 season. The right-arm speedster was Player of the Match for his three-fers against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
What stood out about the 22-year-old in these two games was his speed as he constantly bowled in the 150 kmph range, unsettling batters. Having recovered from his side strain, Mayank has earned a maiden call-up to the Indian team for the T20I series against Bangladesh at home.
#6 Mohsin Khan (uncapped)
Ideally, LSG would love to retain leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi as he has been a consistent performer for the franchise. However, with Mayank likely to become a capped player during the India vs Bangladesh T20Is, the franchise would have to go for an uncapped player.
Left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan seems like a decent option. In the 2024 edition, he picked up 10 wickets in nine matches. Overall, the 26-year-old has 27 scalps in 23 IPL games at an average of 25.52 and an economy rate of 8.51. Mohsin is an unfinished product but can be a match-winner with the ball.
