Lucknow Super Giants Focus on Winning Mindset in Retention Strategy
Goenka emphasized that the decision to keep Pooran was straightforward, taking just two minutes, as they recognized his value and leadership potential. "We had a very simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win, who put the team before their personal goals and aspirations," he noted.
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have made a decisive move to shape their future by prioritizing players with a strong mindset for victory, as highlighted by franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka following their retention announcement ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
In a significant shift, LSG opted not to retain KL Rahul, the team’s captain since its inception in 2022, after a disappointing seventh-place finish in the IPL 2024 season. Rahul, who finished as the team's top scorer with 520 runs at a strike rate of 136, is now set to enter the mega auction and is anticipated to attract considerable interest from franchises.
On the other hand, LSG has retained Nicholas Pooran as their marquee player for INR 21 crore, making him the second most expensive retention in the league, alongside RCB's Virat Kohli, and trailing only behind SRH's Heinrich Klaasen, who was retained for INR 23 crore. Other retained players include Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav, both at INR 11 crore, Mohsin Khan at INR 4 crore, and Ayush Badoni, also at INR 11 crore.
Goenka emphasized that the decision to keep Pooran was straightforward, taking just two minutes, as they recognized his value and leadership potential. "We had a very simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win, who put the team before their personal goals and aspirations," he noted. He also stressed the importance of retaining a strong core, particularly focusing on their bowling lineup by keeping three Indian bowlers—Bishnoi, Yadav, and Khan—who performed well in the previous season.
While Pooran shone with 499 runs at an impressive strike rate of 178 during the last IPL, the performance of other retained players has been a mixed bag. Mayank, despite his potential and speed, played only four matches before succumbing to injury. Mohsin and Bishnoi each took ten wickets, while Badoni contributed 235 runs from the lower-middle order. However, the franchise remains optimistic about their prospects, considering the youth of Mohsin (26), Bishnoi (24), and Badoni (24) as key to their long-term strategy.
With five players retained for a total cost of INR 51 crore, LSG now has INR 69 crore remaining in their budget for the upcoming auction. Additionally, they hold one right-to-match option, which could allow them to reacquire one of their capped players.
As LSG prepares for the auction, their focus remains clear: building a squad rooted in a winning mentality and strategic depth, setting the stage for a more competitive season ahead.
