Cricket

KL Rahul's inability to adapt to the evolving dynamics of T20 batting has cost him his retention at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The franchise has opted for Nicholas Pooran as their alpha finisher, a decision influenced by head coach Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan.LSG's decision was based on Rahul's poor strike rate over the past three years. His strike rates of 136.13, 113.23, and 135.38 were deemed unacceptable in today's T20 landscape, where even the Indian team has had to adjust its philosophy.In contrast, Pooran, who primarily bats in the back 10, has consistently maintained a high strike rate. His strike rates of 144.34, 172.95, and 178.21 in the past three seasons have impressed LSG's management.LSG also highlighted Pooran's leadership qualities and his popularity within the team. He has captained the West Indies and is seen as a natural leader.Meanwhile, Mayank Yadav's retention was based on his exceptional bowling abilities. He is the only bowler in the country with a strike rate of over 150. LSG believes that his talent will be an asset to the team despite his recent injury concerns.The article also mentions the ongoing suspense surrounding Rishabh Pant's future at Delhi Capitals. The franchise is yet to make a decision on his retention, with his future dependent on the level of autonomy granted to him by the management.

KL Rahul Departs Lucknow Super Giants Amidst Speculation and Interest from Multiple FranchisesKL Rahul, the former captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has officially parted ways with the franchise due to a combination of professional and personal reasons. The news comes after Rahul's meeting with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in Kolkata on August 26th, which initially sparked rumors of a potential contract extension.Sources close to the situation have revealed that LSG was prepared to offer Rahul a top retention bracket, but the batsman ultimately decided to move on. Rahul's departure leaves a significant void in the LSG lineup, as he has been a key figure for the franchise since its inception in 2022. Under his leadership, LSG reached the playoffs twice in three seasons.With Rahul now set to enter the auction pool, he is expected to be a highly sought-after commodity. Sources indicate that four franchises have already expressed interest in acquiring his services: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings. All four teams are likely to engage in a bidding war for Rahul, who not only brings exceptional batting skills but also offers valuable captaincy experience.Rahul's absence from India's T20 World Cup-winning team in June raised some eyebrows, but his vast experience in the format remains undeniable. He has played 72 T20Is for India, amassing 2265 runs at an impressive average of 37.75. His ability to anchor the innings and provide stability in the middle order makes him a valuable asset for any franchise.As the IPL auction approaches, Rahul's availability will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched storylines. With multiple teams vying for his signature, it remains to be seen which franchise will ultimately secure the services of this highly skilled and experienced batsman.

KL Rahul's future with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hangs in the balance as the franchise prepares for the upcoming IPL mega auction. Rahul, who has captained LSG since their inception in 2022, is unlikely to be retained and is expected to enter the auction pool.Despite being LSG's leading run-scorer in all three seasons, Rahul's strike rate has come under scrutiny. In IPL 2024, he averaged 136.12, which is below the league's average in recent seasons.Following LSG's disappointing seventh-place finish in IPL 2024, owner Sanjeev Goenka was seen having an animated conversation with Rahul on the field. While Goenka later clarified that the exchange was amicable, it sparked speculation about Rahul's future.At an event in August, Goenka referred to Rahul as "family" but remained non-committal on player retention. Sources indicate that Rahul has not yet committed to accepting a retention offer if one is made.The deadline for franchises to submit their retained player lists is October 31. Teams can retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals.Rahul's departure would be a significant blow to LSG, who have relied heavily on his batting prowess. However, the franchise may be looking to rebuild with a new captain and a more aggressive batting approach.

KL Rahul's Time Running Out as Sarfaraz Khan's Form Mounts PressureAhead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, the Indian team faced a crucial decision: whether to retain out-of-form KL Rahul or select in-form Sarfaraz Khan. After India's loss in the opening Test, the debate intensified, with many experts calling for Sarfaraz's inclusion.At the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma ended the speculation by opting for Sarfaraz over Rahul. The decision was met with mixed reactions, but former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes it's a sign that time is running out for Rahul."Of course, the pressure is building because of his form," Chopra said. "He hasn't really been very good in the last 8 or 10 Test matches. That's also a fact. So, time is running out."Chopra highlighted that Sarfaraz's consistent run-scoring has increased the pressure on Rahul. Since his debut against England earlier this year, Sarfaraz has played four Tests, scoring 350 runs at an impressive average of 58.33, including three half-centuries and a century."Sarfaraz has already scored 150 in the last Test match," Chopra said. "That pressure is also there on KL Rahul. The team also knows that KL Rahul is basically an opener, but he has been pushed up and down the order way too many times. It is not fair for someone to always be in the line of fire and asked to adjust."Chopra emphasized that while the team is still backing Rahul, ultimately, it's about scoring runs. "There will be pressure on KL Rahul now. There's no doubt about it," he said.Rahul's struggles in red-ball cricket have been well-documented. In his last 10 Test matches, he has averaged just 26.70, with only one half-century. His poor form has raised questions about his place in the team, especially with Sarfaraz knocking on the door.The second Test in Pune will be a crucial one for Rahul. If he fails to perform, it could spell the end of his Test career. Sarfaraz, on the other hand, has a golden opportunity to cement his place in the Indian team.

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.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has sparked a debate by suggesting that Team India should drop star batter KL Rahul from the Test side once Shubman Gill recovers from his injury. Gill missed the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru due to a stiff neck, paving the way for Sarfaraz Khan to make his Test debut. Khan seized the opportunity with both hands, scoring a magnificent 150 in the second innings.However, with Gill expected to return for the second Test in Pune, India faces a dilemma. Basit believes that Sarfaraz should not be sacrificed, despite his impressive performance. Instead, he argues that Rahul, who has been out of form, should be dropped."Once Shubman Gill is fit, there should not be an injustice to Sarfaraz Khan. KL Rahul should be rested now. People rate him very highly, but his performances haven't been like that. He did very well in South Africa but hasn't done the same in home matches," Basit said on his YouTube channel.Basit criticized Rahul's performance in the first Test against New Zealand, calling it "disappointing." He pointed out that Rahul's failure to deliver in both innings put pressure on the team."A lot depended on KL Rahul after Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant got out. He has played a lot of Test matches and is everyone's favorite. However, he disappointed me today," Basit added.Meanwhile, New Zealand secured a historic victory in the first Test, chasing down a target of 107 with ease. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put on an unbroken 75-run partnership to guide the visitors to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

KL Rahul's Touching Gesture Sparks Retirement Speculation After India's Test LossTeam India's recent defeat to New Zealand in the first Test at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium has ignited speculation about KL Rahul's future in Test cricket. Following India's eight-wicket loss, a video emerged on social media showing Rahul touching the pitch, a gesture reminiscent of Sachin Tendulkar's farewell moment during his final Test.Rahul's recent form has been under scrutiny, with disappointing scores of 0 and 12 in the match against New Zealand. His second-innings failure was particularly crucial as it came after a promising partnership between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant.With Shubman Gill likely to return for the upcoming Test in Pune and Sarfaraz Khan's impressive 150-run performance in Bengaluru, speculation is mounting that Rahul may be dropped for the critical match. The viral clip of Rahul touching the pitch has further fueled these rumors, with some fans suggesting the right-hander could be considering retirement from Test cricket.Rahul's struggles have been evident in his last five innings, where he has managed just one fifty during India's recent series against Bangladesh. Despite scoring a half-century against England and a century in South Africa earlier this year, his inconsistency has raised questions about his place in the Test squad.The gesture in Bengaluru has only intensified the speculation surrounding Rahul's future in the format. While some fans believe it could be a sign of his impending retirement, others suggest it may simply be a moment of reflection after a disappointing performance.The Indian team management has not yet commented on Rahul's future, but the speculation is likely to continue until he addresses the issue or his performance improves significantly.

India's Test juggernaut rolls into Bengaluru for the first of three matches against New Zealand, starting Wednesday at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The hosts, riding high on a six-match winning streak, will be aiming to extend their dominance against a New Zealand side missing the services of star batter Kane Williamson.For Indian opener KL Rahul, this Test holds special significance as it marks a homecoming to the city where his cricketing dreams took flight. In an interview with BCCI TV, Rahul expressed his emotional connection to the Bengaluru ground, recalling his journey from an 11-year-old boy to an international cricketer."It's always special for me to come back here," Rahul said. "This is where I grew up, played all my cricket. The feeling for me as an eleven year old boy who came here first time, played a game, that feeling for me hasn't changed."Rahul described the overwhelming flood of memories that come rushing in whenever he steps onto the field at Chinnaswamy. "From the time you leave the dressing room and walk to the middle, so many emotions hit you. It's like a whole three-hour movie plays in your mind – from my early cricketing days at U13s, U15s, U19s, to Ranji Trophy and IPL matches, and finally, representing India internationally. It gives me goosebumps."He also fondly reminisced about his time in the clubhouse canteen, where breakfast routines became a cherished tradition. "From age-group cricket to Ranji Trophy, we'd have breakfast at the canteen, finish training, and return for lunch," Rahul recalled. "I haven't been there in the last year or so. I don't know if that place has changed now. But it used to be really delicious and our morning started really good with dosa and coffee."Rahul, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2014, has garnered 2969 runs in 52 Tests, averaging 34.52. In 2024, he has featured in four Tests, scoring 222 runs at an average of 44.40, with two fifties.Rahul also displayed his form in the Duleep Trophy, scoring 37 and 57 for India A. With one eye on the upcoming Australia tour, Rahul will be eager to prove his mettle and cement his spot in the team's starting eleven for the Border–Gavaskar Trophy.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has unveiled its player regulations for the 2025 season, introducing significant changes to the retention and auction process. Franchises will now be allowed to retain a maximum of six players, down from eight in previous seasons. This move aims to create a more balanced competition and encourage teams to invest in a wider pool of talent.The IPL 2025 auction is expected to be held in late November or early December and will be a mega auction, meaning all players will be available for selection. Franchises will have an auction purse of INR 120 Crore to bid on players, with the total salary cap now consisting of the auction purse, incremental performance pay, and match fees.Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul will command a hefty price if he enters the auction. "He is the face of the franchise and you would want to make him the captain," Chopra said. "If he goes to the auction, he will get Rs 18 crore."Chopra also discussed the case of Mayank Yadav, who has been selected in the India squad for the Bangladesh T20Is. "They would have definitely wanted to retain him, but if he gets the India cap, there is no advantage of retaining him," Chopra said. "Then you can use the Right To Match card."A significant change for the 2025 season is the introduction of a match fee for players. Each playing member, including the Impact Player, will receive INR 7.5 Lakhs per match in addition to their contracted amount. This move aims to reward players for their performances and create a more competitive environment.Overseas players will be required to register for the Big Auction, and those who fail to do so will be ineligible to participate in the following year's auction. Any player who registers and then makes themselves unavailable before the start of the season will be banned from the tournament and player auction for two seasons.Capped Indian players will become uncapped if they have not played in the starting XI in international cricket or do not have a Central Contract with the BCCI in the last five calendar years. This rule applies only to Indian players.The Impact Player Regulation will continue for the 2025 to 2027 cycle, allowing teams to substitute a player during the match.