LSG ( Source :IPL )
Lucknow Super Giants have been one of the most controversial franchises in Indian Premier League history. Introduced in 2022, the KL Rahul-led side featured in the playoffs in their debut season and in the following season, that is 2023, but could never get closer to the trophy. Still, things were pretty smooth in terms of operation but in 2024, the team finished seventh on the points table after which, the problems started.
After the 2022 season, their mentor Gautam Gambhir left and moved to Kolkata Knight Riders. The franchise appointed Justin Langer as the new head coach but not a lot can be expected from him in his first year. Yet, Lucknow started the season well. However, a couple of defeats put them in a tight spot but there was still hope for qualification in the final two weeks of the tournament.
Their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad was key in the qualification race but unfortunately, Lucknow suffered a 10-wicket defeat. After the game, owner Sanjiv Goenka was spotted having an animated chat with captain Rahul, which according to reports, spoiled their relationship. Even though they both had a meeting in Kolkata recently, there remains doubt if the duo would work again in 2025.
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Problems are plenty in the LSG set-up. A new coach always tends to bring in players that he prefers and Langer will have the open hands this time around. He will be assisted by Zaheer Khan, who has been recently appointed as LSG’s mentor and a lot of top players are expected to leave ahead of the mega-auction.
Here is a list of cricketers that LSG will let go keeping the new cycle in mind:
3. Naveen-ul-Haq
Naveen ul-Haq. (Source -Twitter/X)
Naveen has done well for Lucknow in the limited matches that he has played. The Afghanistan pacer has played 18 matches for the franchise and picked up 25 wickets at an economy of 9.16. He has been effective for the franchise and they would have loved to retain him for the next season but Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis are likely to be their first two choices when it comes to retention.
BCCI has not cleared its stance on the retention and RTM policy but under no circumstances, they would allow each franchise to retain more than two overseas players. It would force LSG to let go of Naveen, who has been an important player for the team in the last couple of years. The conditions in Lucknow massively favoured the spinners, yet, Naveen could make a mark, which speaks of his class.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old was involved in IPL’s one of the major controversies. His verbal altercation with Virat Kohli in IPL 2023 was one of the major talking points in the year. He later made amends with the star India batter but he is still being asked questions about that.
2. Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock ( Photo source : IPL )
Quinton de Kock is one of the biggest names as far as T20 cricket is concerned and any team would love to have him in the squad. He has done well for Lucknow in 2022, scoring 508 runs in 15 matches but interestingly, the franchise trusted Kyle Mayers over him in 2023. The South Africa international played just four games and scored 143 runs.
In 2024, he was picked as the first-choice opener but he had a poor season. The Southpaw made 250 runs in 11 matches but soon after that, de Kock wreaked havoc in the T20 World Cup. It might influence Lucknow to retain him but again, Pooran and Stonis are likely to be the players that get the preference.
On top of that, Lucknow might let him go keeping the conditions in mind. The surface in Lucknow is generally slow and may not help Quinton score quickly. That might be one of the reasons behind Lucknow letting him go.
1. KL Rahul
KL Rahul. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
KL Rahul’s relation with Goenka improved in recent times but will he continue with Lucknow in IPL 2025? Doubts remain. The owner invited him for a meeting and even called him to be a part of the ‘family’ but Lucknow may eventually part ways with the cricketer with the hope of a better future.
Rahul’s desire to continue with Lucknow is also under the scanner. Even if he gets retained, there are doubts that the opener will continue as the captain of the team. Now, Rahul is one of the leaders in the Indian dressing room and hopes to lead a franchise in the IPL to keep options open to lead the national team in the future.
It’s unclear if Rahul will indeed leave the team but it will not be a surprise if he does. Last year, multiple reports claimed that Goenka was looking for a better option as he was not entirely happy with Rahul as captain. It needs to be seen if anything has changed and whether or not, their meeting in Kolkata was for a golden handshake.
