“If KL Rahul goes to the auction, he will take 18 crores for sure” – Aakash Chopra on LSG’s potential retentions ahead of IPL 2025 auction

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons if Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul goes to the auction, he will take 18 crores for sure. Rahul has been a consistent performer in the Indian Premier League over the years.

Meanwhile, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen having a heated discussion with Rahul after they had suffered an ignominious loss of 10 wickets against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024. However, Goenka recently said that Rahul is like part of the family and they will retain him before the auction.

Rahul was signed by LSG for a whopping amount of INR 17 crore ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, and he led the franchise in the last three editions of the cash-rich league, including two runs to the playoffs in the 2022 and 2023 editions.

Rahul has scored 4683 runs in 132 IPL matches at an average of 45.47 and a strike rate of 134.61.

“They have three players whom they can retain. The fourth could have been as an uncapped Indian because he would not remain uncapped as he will get the India cap before 31st October. I am talking about Mayank Yadav. They would have definitely wanted to retain him but if he gets the India cap, there is no advantage of retaining him. Then you can use the Right To Match card,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“The first is KL Rahul because you want to make him the captain and he is the face of the franchise. 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. The captain needs to remain for continuity, love and relationship,” the former India opener added.

The renowned commentator added that wicket-keeper bat Nicholas Pooran could be LSG’s second retention.

“At No. 2, I would say Nicholas Pooran, who they gave 16 crores last time as well, and he is a player of that worth. The sort of performances he has given in T20 cricket, don’t even think about it, you have to retain him. He is that good a player,” he reasoned.

Chopra doesn’t want LSG to retain players like Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi and Devdutt Padikkal.

“For the third also, I am not thinking about an Indian. I am not thinking about Devdutt Padikkal or even Ravi Bishnoi because a spinner won’t go till 11 crores. I am not thinking about Krunal Pandya. He is good, his skill style is limited in availability, but still I would say no. 11 crores will be too much for Krunal Pandya,” Chopra explained.

The former Delhi player wants LSG to retain Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis ahead of the auction.

“For the third also, I am not thinking about an Indian. I am not thinking about Devdutt Padikkal or even Ravi Bishnoi because a spinner won’t go till 11 crores. I am not thinking about Krunal Pandya. He is good, his skill style is limited in availability, but still I would say no. 11 crores will be too much for Krunal Pandya,” Chopra explained.

IPL mega auction will take place in December.