Former Indian cricket player Aakash Chopra has shared his opinions on which players the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) should give top priority retention for the IPL 2025 big auction. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra named Marcus Stoinis, KL Rahul, and Nicholas Pooran as the main players LSG should keep on hand to fortify his team for next seasons.
KL Rahul: the Franchise’s Face
Chopra advises KL Rahul to give LSG top attention. He highlighted Rahul’s managerial skills and his outstanding performance in IPL 2024, with 520 runs. Rahul is both the squad leader and a vital player; as a result, he is absolutely essential for the franchise.
“The first is KL Rahul because you want to make him the captain, and he is the face of the franchise.” He added, “You won’t get him for 18 crores in any case. If KL Rahul goes to the auction, he will take 18 crores for sure, and you don’t leave the captain in any case.”
Nicholas Pooran Is A Regular Performer
Chopra underlined Nicholas Pooran as the second important player LSG had to keep. Pooran had lived up to expectations with a solid T20 cricket performance; in the last auction, the team paid Rs 16 crore for him. For LSG, his ability to provide match-winning innings adds great value.
At position No. 2, I would recommend Nicholas Pooran, who recently scored 16 crores. “Don’t even think about the sort of performances he has given in T20 cricket; you have to retain him,” he added.
Marcus Stoinis: A Novel Approach
Chopra recommended Marcus Stoinis, an Australian all-rounder noted for his game-changing skills, for the third retention. His adaptability and ability to turn games around have kept Stoinis at Rs 10 crore in the past, making him a strong contender.
The third player that comes to mind is Marcus Stoinis, who was previously retained at 10 crores and is a game-changing player.
Mayank Yadav: Potential Untapped Retention
Chopra also suggested the LSG keep uncapped player Mayank Yadav. Still, this choice might rely on Yadav’s performance in the forthcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Should he show promise, LSG might think about keeping this young potential under observation.
With Mayank Yadav as a potential uncapped retention depending on his forthcoming performances, Aakash Chopra thinks that KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, and Marcus Stoinis are absolutely vital players for LSG to keep ahead of the IPL 2025 super auction.
Conclusion
Aakash Chopra believes that KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis and Mayank Yadav seem to be strong pillars for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Each individual player possesses unique characteristics and strengths and has built a substantial reputation in previous matches. Rahul being the captain, the highest run scorer, Pooran with his terrific T20 record, and Stoinis as the matchwinner are excellent building blocks for the future of LSG. Similarly, the potential acquisition of Mayank Yadav, an uncapped talent, adds significant depth to the team’s talent pool. Focusing on these top athletes may lead LSG to a fantastic start in the next season of competition.
