Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), was the other franchise that was added to the IPL in 2022 along with Gujarat Titans. Like GT, LSG also had a terrific start to their IPL campaign, contesting for the playoffs in their first two seasons. But the KL Rahul-led team couldn’t continue with momentum for the third consecutive season, finishing outside the top-4 in the 2024 season.
One of the main reasons is that they had the strongest overseas contingents in their ranks and most of them did well. Hence LSG will be looking to make the most out of the retention rules and have a strong core before the auction.
KL Rahul
One of the prolific run-getters in all of IPL cricket, KL Rahul is an asset for any side and he is likely to continue leading the LSG franchise for the fourth straight season. There are talks that Lucknow might release him, but these are just speculations, and with 1410 runs in just 38 innings, Rahul has proved his worth at the top of the order.
Nicholas Pooran
The West Indies keeper-batter is having a dream 2024 when it comes to T20 cricket. He sits at the top of the peril as the format’s leading run-getter with 2251 runs in just 61 innings at an average of 45.02 and striking at 160 with 16 fifty-plus scores. Pooran had his best IPL season yet in 2024, where he scored 499 runs at an incredible strike rate of 178.21 and had a consistent run throughout 2024 in this format. So, the left-hander will be on the top of LSG’s 2025 retention list.
Marcus Stoinis
Another overseas star who had an amazing impact on LSG in the 2024 season was Marcus Stoinis. The Aussie all-rounder was at his best with bat scoring 388 runs at a strike rate of 147.53, playing a couple of blinders that allowed his team to get over the line. His match-winning abilities wouldn’t be overlooked by LSG and he could very well be one of the players retained before the auctions.
Ayush Badoni (Uncapped)
With pacer Mayank Yadav getting his maiden India cap, the other best Indian uncapped player in their ranks is the youngster Ayush Badoni. The 24-year-old has been part of the team in the last three seasons and has been a key part of the team’s middle order. Badoni featured in 42 IPL games, all for LSG, and scored 654 runs at a decent strike rate of 134.04 with the help of four fifty-plus scores. Having invested in Badoni all this while, it is time perhaps for LSG to reap the rewards in the coming IPL cycle.
Ravi Bishnoi
The leg-spinner is a highly talented Indian youngster with a great future ahead of him. At just 24, Bishnoi has already picked 63 IPL wickets in 66 games and 39 of them have come for the Lucknow Super Giants. The surfaces at Lucknow largely favor slower bowlers, a spinner with the skill set of Bishnoi is a must-have and LSG could very well retain the latter before the auctions.
Mayank Yadav (RTM)
Mayank Yadav, the newest pace sensation in the country has made rapid strides in Indian cricket and grown on to represent the nation in the shortest format. While the 22-year-old may have played just four IPL games and is slightly injury-prone, LSG will look to go to a large extent in retaining his services for the upcoming seasons as well.
Check out the same list for other IPL teams here.
