IPL update: Nicholas Pooran set to lead LSG in IPL 2025

The day is almost here when IPL teams will confirm and announce their retention picks for IPL 2025. With the last date for locking in their retained players set as October 31, most of the IPL franchises have already chosen their prospects. LSG, the team that has been in the headlines for quite some time now, reportedly has a concrete IPL update. Lucknow Super Giants are all set to part ways with their skipper KL Rahul ahead of the mega auction. KL Rahul was appointed as the team captain when LSG debuted in the league back in 2022. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter led Lucknow to the playoffs for two consecutive seasons before faltering in the chances to qualify in IPL 2024.

Nicholas Pooran to replace KL Rahul as LSG skipper as per latest IPL update

LSG has kept KL Rahul apart from its plans for IPL 2025 and beyond. Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, a team can retain up to six players; however, one of them must be an uncapped Indian player, with the option to have up to two uncapped picks in their retention. Meanwhile, LSG has set its retention picks as Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi. Moreover, the team will retain Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan under the uncapped player criteria. Reportedly, LSG is eyeing Pooran as their next captaincy prospect, with KL Rahul’s exit confirmed from the side.

Furthermore, with LSG ready to use five retention slabs, the franchise will get one right-to-match (RTM) card in the IPL 2025 mega auction. While reports have confirmed the above-mentioned players as the LSG retention choices, it remains to be seen how LSG will allocate the slabs. The precise amounts for which the five players have been retained remain undisclosed. However, according to IPL retention rules, INR 51 crore will be deducted from LSG’s total budget. If the combined contracts for the five players exceed this amount, the greater total will be deducted from the INR 120 crore allotted to each franchise to assemble their squads for IPL 2025.

With LSG setting its sights on Nicholas Pooran to replace KL Rahul as the team’s captain, Pooran is expected to secure the top retention spot. The IPL update further explains that the franchise is impressed by the West Indies player’s exploits in the previous season. LSG acquired Pooran in the IPL 2023 mini-auction for INR 16 crore. Now, with the retention slabs for capped players set at 18 crore, 14 crore, and 11 crore respectively, it is anticipated that Pooran will be allocated the 18-crore cap. Pooran filled in as the interim skipper when KL Rahul played as an impact player during IPL 2024 due to a niggle. Thus, LSG believes Pooran is ready to take over as the full-time captain of the side.

Moving forward, Mayank Yadav emerged as a sensational revelation last season, with the young pacer clocking in deliveries over 150 km/h. The pacer recently debuted for India during the T20I leg of the Bangladesh Tour of India. Consequently, the franchise could not retain Yadav under the uncapped criteria. However, despite his promotion to a capped player, LSG is steadfast in its stance to retain the pace sensation in the squad for IPL 2025. Ravi Bishnoi has been a consistent pick for the team ever since LSG drafted him ahead of their IPL 2022 debut. While he was initially acquired for INR 4 crore, his value is set to increase this time as the spinner is no longer uncapped. Mohsin and Ayush Badoni, however, are yet to make their debuts for the Indian team, making it easy for LSG to retain them without significantly affecting their auction purse.

The team has yet to officially announce these updates. However, it is almost confirmed that LSG and KL Rahul will part ways. The chatter around KL Rahul’s exit from LSG has continued ever since the SRH vs. LSG game in IPL 2024. SRH opener Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma thrashed LSG to win the league stage game within 10 overs and 10 wickets. The match was followed by a video of Sanjeev Goenka, the team owner, verbally criticizing skipper KL Rahul on the field. The video went viral, fueling discussions about Rahul’s final season with LSG. Now, it is said, according to an IPL update, that the former Punjab captain may be picked by either RCB or Punjab Kings once again in the IPL 2025 mega auction.