Cricket

Lucknow Super Giants to Release KL Rahul, Retain Mayank YadavLucknow 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.

Nitish Rana, a seasoned left-handed batter, has been a mainstay in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batting lineup for the past seven years. However, with the IPL 2025 auction approaching, his chances of being retained by KKR seem uncertain.Rana has expressed his desire to continue with KKR, highlighting his consistent run-scoring record. "I have been serving KKR for the past seven years. It's not in my hands if I will be retained; it's up to KKR management to decide. I haven't received any calls yet. I have scored runs for KKR every year and if they consider me an asset, they will retain me," he said.Meanwhile, India's rising pace sensation Mayank Yadav is set to join the IPL's "Million Dollar Club" after making his T20I debut against Bangladesh. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will need to retain his services for a minimum of Rs 11 crore (USD 1.31 million).Similarly, Sunrisers Hyderabad will also need to pay a minimum of Rs 11 crore to retain all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy after his international debut in the same match.According to IPL retention rules, any uncapped player who makes their international debut before the auctions will be elevated to the capped player category. This means that the retention prices for capped players are significantly higher.While the deadline for announcing the retention list is October 31, it is widely expected that LSG will retain Mayank as one of its three primary retentions. The 22-year-old pacer has impressed with his raw pace and potential."There is no way that LSG will put a rare bowler like Mayank back in the auction pool. They have invested in him for the past two seasons and he will certainly be one among the top three retentions," said an IPL insider.

Mayank Yadav, the young pace sensation from Lucknow, has been making waves in the cricketing world since his impressive debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His consistent bowling speeds surpassing 150kmph caught the attention of cricket fans and experts alike, earning him a national call-up for the upcoming Bangladesh T20Is.Yadav's selection to the national team is a testament to his exceptional talent, as he has bypassed the usual protocol of demonstrating fitness in domestic cricket. The upcoming series against Bangladesh will be a crucial assessment of both his physical and mental abilities.While Yadav's bowling prowess is undeniable, a recent incident involving his IPL team, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has added a touch of humor to the situation. LSG shared a screenshot on their social media handle showing Google's feed of the team's roster, which listed Yadav as a "right-arm medium fast bowler."This amused the franchise, who playfully took a jab at Google for downplaying Yadav's raw pace. LSG captioned the post with a tired face emoji and tagged Google, hinting at their frustration with the search engine's evaluation of the young speedster.To express their frustration further, LSG used a meme featuring a morphed image of Yadav. The meme served as a humorous way to convey Yadav's annoyance with Google's assessment of his abilities.Despite the light-hearted banter, Yadav remains focused on his upcoming national debut. The Bangladesh series will provide him with a platform to showcase his skills and prove that he is worthy of a place in the Indian team.

Jonty Rhodes Weighs in on Rohit Sharma's Potential Move to Lucknow Super GiantsWith the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction on the horizon, speculation has been rife regarding the future of India captain Rohit Sharma. Rumors have suggested that Sharma may depart from his long-time franchise, Mumbai Indians, and join the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).Jonty Rhodes, the fielding coach for LSG, has commented on these rumors, expressing his admiration for Sharma's abilities but emphasizing that his presence is not essential for the team's success."I mean, for a long time at Mumbai Indians, I felt I had the best job in the world. I got to watch Rohit Shama practice and play cricket. He is so elegant," Rhodes told ANI.However, Rhodes believes that LSG's focus should be on maintaining team balance rather than relying solely on individual star power."I mean, there's the balance of teams, who's in the side. I love watching Rohit Sharma bat, but I'm not saying he must come in and replace, and then suddenly we change our setup. So whatever, as I said, whatever happens, who is ever there? I'll be doing my best to support," he added.Rhodes also addressed the uncertain future of LSG captain KL Rahul, who has reportedly been reprimanded by franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka."Well, luckily, hypothetically, or in real life, that's as a fielding coach. I don't have to worry about that just now," he said.Beyond his coaching role, Rhodes has also been named the brand ambassador for the inaugural season of the Pro Cricket League (PCL). He remains committed to personal growth and improving his skills as a human being."I think what a learning curve is seeing if I can sit off the field. As a coach, you don't get involved during the game, but it leads to a part of the buildup, part of the preparation. So I will have to see if I have got the patience to be able to sit and watch the whole thing to still be able to do a little bit of coaching, but yeah, a very new role, and it's a part of evolving as an individual. As a cricket player, you always evolve. You have to work on your technique and your skills, so yes, I'm trying to improve my skills as a human being," he stated.

Zaheer Khan's Calm Demeanor to Benefit Lucknow Super Giants, Says Jonty RhodesFormer South African cricketer and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fielding coach Jonty Rhodes has expressed his belief that Zaheer Khan's appointment as the franchise's mentor will significantly benefit the team. Rhodes highlighted Khan's calm demeanor and experience as key assets that will enhance the team's performance."Zaheer Khan will definitely bring the calmness in the team," Rhodes said. "Having someone like Zak around will be of great help for the franchise. The team meetings, selections meetings, franchise meetings with owners, you need a calm head because the tournament goes up and down as per results. You need that support and consistency."Rhodes emphasized the importance of Khan's presence in maintaining a stable environment within the team, especially during challenging times. "The team is no longer a brand new franchise; it has been around for three years now, so obviously the pressure is there to perform," he said. "We need to achieve what we plan, to reach the playoffs. We haven't reached the final yet, so with Zak and his calmness, I think it will be very important for the franchise."Khan's technical expertise and bowling experience will also be invaluable to the team, according to Rhodes. "With the technique and bowling experience that he carries, he will benefit the franchise," he said.Khan joins LSG's coaching staff, which includes Justin Langer as head coach, along with assistant coaches Lance Klusener and Adam Voges. The team is currently without a bowling coach after Morne Morkel left the role to take up the same position with the Indian team.In the IPL 2024 season, Lucknow Super Giants finished seventh on the points table with seven wins and seven losses. The team will be hoping to improve its performance in the upcoming season with the guidance of Khan and the rest of the coaching staff.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are gearing up for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season with a renewed determination to capture the coveted title. The team has undergone significant changes, including the appointment of legendary pacer Zaheer Khan as a mentor.LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka emphasized the importance of having an Indian mind in the support staff to maximize the potential of the players. He believes that Zaheer's unwavering desire to win and his experience as a player will be invaluable assets to the team.Goenka expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance in the previous season, citing a lack of experienced decision-making. He believes that Zaheer's role will be crucial in addressing this issue and guiding the team towards success.Goenka also highlighted the importance of experience in the team, drawing lessons from the Rising Pune Supergiants' journey to the IPL final in 2017. He believes that the team's lack of experience at the time ultimately cost them the title.With Zaheer's addition to the support staff, LSG aims to create a balanced team with a blend of experience and youthful exuberance. The team is confident that these changes will propel them towards their ultimate goal of winning the IPL championship.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the third time this year, defeating SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final. This triumph marked their first IPL success since 2014, and former India head coach Gautam Gambhir played a pivotal role in all three of KKR's victories.In 2012 and 2014, Gambhir captained KKR to two IPL titles. This year, he transitioned into a mentorship role, joining KKR from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), where he had also served as a mentor.Gambhir's contributions to LSG were significant, as he helped build the team from the ground up. LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka acknowledged Gambhir's role in the franchise's success, particularly in the team's first auction."Gautam has played a significant role in building the side's foundation," Goenka said. "If you consider our first auction successful, it is only because of Gautam. We got the franchise barely two weeks before the auctions. We did not have an analyst or a research team. It was all Gautam Gambhir's team. He did everything and put together a very balanced team."LSG qualified for the IPL playoffs in its first two seasons before finishing seventh in IPL 2024. Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions, LSG appointed former India pacer Zaheer Khan as the franchise's mentor.Zaheer expressed his commitment to serving the team in every capacity possible, including bowling. He emphasized the importance of decision-making and building on the team's existing strengths."It is a team game, so I will be serving the team in every capacity possible, and yes, it includes bowling," Zaheer said. "When you see LSG, their journey is only three years but they are as comparable to the teams who have played the IPL for 17-18 years. The building blocks are in place and we need to take them forward."

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is poised to be a transformative event, with the potential to reshape the landscape of the tournament. As teams prepare to release and retain players, the focus has turned to the number of retentions allowed and the fate of star players like Rohit Sharma.Mumbai Indians, the most successful franchise in IPL history, face a dilemma. They possess a formidable core of Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. However, retaining all four players could prove challenging under the new retention rules.Amidst the speculation, rumors have emerged that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are willing to offer Rohit Sharma a staggering Rs 50 crore salary package. However, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka has dismissed these claims, questioning the feasibility of such a move."Whether Mumbai Indians will release Rohit Sharma or not, whether he is coming to the auction or not, even if he comes if you are going to use 50 per cent of your salary cap on one player, how will you manage the other 22 players?" Goenka asked.Goenka acknowledged that all franchises have wishlists, but emphasized the importance of practicality. "You want the best player, the best captain to be in your team. It is not about wanting. What you have got and what is available. What can you do with that. This is that thing. I can want anyone but the same goes for all the franchises. You will not get everyone," he said.The IPL 2025 auction promises to be a fascinating affair, with teams weighing their options and making strategic decisions that could shape their fortunes for years to come. The fate of Rohit Sharma and other star players remains uncertain, adding to the intrigue surrounding this mega event.

Zaheer Khan Backs Impact Player Rule, Citing Benefits for Indian CricketFormer Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan, now the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants, has voiced his support for the continuation of the impact player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Khan believes that the rule has contributed to the overall improvement of Indian cricket by providing opportunities to young talents.The impact player rule, introduced in IPL 2023, allows teams to substitute a player during the match. This rule has sparked debate among players and stakeholders, with some expressing concerns about its impact on the game's balance. However, Khan believes that the rule has had a positive effect on Indian cricket."I'm going on record to say that I'm all for it," Khan said. "It has definitely given opportunities to a lot of uncapped Indian talents. It is something you will see this in the mega auction when teams will be looking at them."Khan emphasized that the rule has provided valuable match time for young players, which is crucial for their development. "That opportunity goes a long way with improving Indian cricket on the whole," he said. "The time spent in match time, it's something you cannot beat. That's the biggest plus."Khan also addressed concerns about the impact of the rule on all-rounders. He believes that genuine all-rounders will still be valued, as they can provide both batting and bowling abilities. "If you are a genuine all-rounder, (then) no one can stop you," he said. "There is always going to be a value addition with the ability with bat and ball."The impact player rule has been a topic of discussion among IPL team owners and BCCI officials. While some teams support its continuation, others have expressed reservations. However, Khan's endorsement of the rule adds weight to the argument for its retention.