IPL 2025 Retention: No Place For Rahul or Stoinis, LSG Expected to Retain These 5 Players - Report

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) reportedly set to retain five players ahead of the retention deadline on Thursday (October 31), but there is no place for skipper KL Rahul or all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.

Earlier reports suggested Indian batter Rahul has already made the franchise aware of his decision to not be retained, while the Australian all-rounder Stoinis could still return to the side at the auction via Right to Match card.

As per the IPL Governing Council's player regulations for the 2025-27 cycle, each team is allowed a total of 6 retentions either via straight retentions or RTMs. Also, the retention rule states only a maximum of 5 capped players and maximum of 2 players can be among the 6 retentions.

LSG Capped Retentions 2025

According to the latest report from ESPNcricinfo, the Lucknow-based side have lined up Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav as their capped retentions, leaving space for another space to buy back another capped player using the RTM at the auction.

West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Pooran, who captained the side in Rahul's absence, is one of the in-demand players in T20 cricket and is also expected to be appointed the captain post his retention in the top slot.

While there were reports of the top retention costing Rs 18 Crore, there is every chance that amount could rise. Pooran also could be set for a big pay-day from the Lucknow-based side as their top retention.

Pooran would be a no-brainer for retention. LSG had spalshed Rs 16 crore for the West Indies big-hitter in 2023. The franchise could be spending a little more than that for his retention.

Mayank Yadav, who recently capped for India in T20Is, is the second retention for LSG, who may not want to risk, leaving the speedster in the auction despite buying him only for Rs 20 Lakh in the 2022 Mega Auction. His performances have warranted him a spot in the retention.

Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi is expected to the franchise's third retention. Like Mayank, LSG will not want to take a chance on releasing one of the top Indian leg-spinners into the auction.

While the price for retention is not disclosed as yet, LSG will be spending way over the Rs 4 Crore they spent on the leg-spinner's retention as an uncapped player ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction.

The second and third retentions are capped at Rs 14 Crore and Rs 11 Crore respectively, but LSG may manage to retain the duo of Mayank and Bishnoi for a little lesser price. All details will be known in the coming days.

LSG Uncapped Retentions for IPL 2025

The report also added that Lucknow Super Giants may make two uncapped retentions in the form of Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan, who have both done well in their three seasons at the franchise.

Middle-order batter Badoni has been a bit more regular compared to pacer Mohsin, who has suffered injury lay-offs during his stint with the Lucknow Super Giants. Badoni's impressive showings have also earned him a spot in the Indian emerging team. The duo could be retained at Rs 4 Crore each or even lesser depending on the negotiations.

LSG Retained Players List

Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)
Mayank Yadav (India)
Ravi Bishnoi (India)
Ayush Badoni (Uncapped/India)
Mohsin Khan (Uncapped/India)
Marcus Stoinis (Australia) - RTM

The Lucknow-based side qualified for the playoffs in the first two seasons, but failed to do so in the recent IPL 2024 season. While Rahul may be a sure shot release, the likes of Krunal Pandya, Devdutt Padikkal, Deepak Hooda among others could be bought back during the auction next month.