IPL 2025: KL Rahul to be axed by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of mega auctions; Mayank to get retained - Report
IPL 2025: KL Rahul to be axed by LSG ahead of mega auctions; Mayank to get retained - Report (Source: BCCI)
Lucknow Super Giants and KL Rahul are set to part ways ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) mega auctions. With the deadline for retentions fast approaching, franchises are keen to announce their retentions ahead of the October 31 deadline. Rahul, one of the top names at the Lucknow franchise, could be on his way out, having signed for the team before the IPL 2022. The media report also states that speedster Mayank Yadav will be retained by the franchise as they prepare for the auctions.
Rahul, LSG to part ways?
"We have discussed KL’s role with the team management multiple times, and there is consent that we will move forward without him,” an India Today report read.
Rahul has largely been successful at the franchise and led them to back-to-back IPL playoffs in 2022 and 2023. However, the franchise is looking for a complete overhaul with a handful of names to be retained. This also means LSG will keep a big purse for the IPL auctions, helping them get big names for the next season.
It is also reported that Mayank Yadav will be retained by the franchise but at a slightly higher price after earning his first India cap during the Bangladesh T20I series. He can no longer be retained at INR 40 million ($475,000), as LSG will have to splash higher cash.
What are the retention values?
A franchise can retain as many as six players before the auctions for price tags set by the IPL commission. In case the franchise does not retain six players, the remaining slots could be used as Right to Match (RTM) cards. An RTM allows a team to retain a player who represented the franchise in IPL 2024 by matching the final bid of the other franchise that intends to purchase it. Interestingly, out of the six retentions allowed, one has to be an uncapped Indian player, meaning a maximum of five capped players could be retained before the auctions.
The values for the retentions are as follows:
1. Player 1 - INR 180 million ($2.1m)
2. Player 2 - INR 140 million ($1.66)
3. Player 3 - INR 110 million ($1.3m)
4. Player 4 - INR 180 million ($2.1m)
5. Player 5 - INR 140 million ($1.66m)
6. Player 6 (uncapped Indian) - INR 40 million ($475,000)
