Lucknow Super Giants to Release KL Rahul, Retain Mayank Yadav
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is set to release KL Rahul ahead of the upcoming IPL mega auction, according to sources. The franchise has decided to prioritize retaining young pace sensation Mayank Yadav, who will be among the top three retentions alongside Nicholas Pooran and Ravi Bishnoi.
LSG’s management, including mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer, has analyzed Rahul’s performance and concluded that his strike rate does not align with the team’s aggressive approach. The team has often struggled when Rahul has played long innings, indicating a mismatch between his batting style and the demands of modern T20 cricket.
Despite releasing Rahul, LSG has not ruled out bidding for him at the auction. The franchise will assess its options on the day of the auction and determine how much it is willing to spend on the former captain.
Meanwhile, Mayank Yadav has emerged as a key player for LSG. The young pacer has impressed with his pace and wicket-taking ability, and the franchise believes he has the potential to become a future star. LSG is keen on preserving its purse as much as possible, which could lead to the retention of Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan as uncapped players.
In a related development, several franchises are eagerly awaiting Delhi Capitals’ decision on Rishabh Pant’s retention. If Pant is not retained by DC, teams like LSG and Punjab Kings are interested in acquiring him as their captaincy candidate. However, the Capitals management is still working out the modalities of Pant’s retention after a recent overhaul in the team’s operations.
