New Delhi: Lucknow Super Giants have no plans to retain KL Rahul but are willing to use the ‘right to match option’ to keep the India batter in their ranks for the 2025 Indian Premier League.
Under skipper Rahul, LSG failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament last year, slipping below the fourth spot cut-off despite being well placed to advance at one point of time.
With all teams getting the option of reshaping their squads in the mega auction before the 2025 edition of the cash-rich tournament, LSG are now keen to strengthen their batting order.
“LSG won’t retain Rahul because of technical reasons. His strike rate is main concern. But they may exercise right to match option to keep him depending on option available in the auction” a source tracking the news told News9 Sports.
Eye on power hitters
Keeping in mind the escalating totals in T20 cricket due to the rise of power hitters, Lucknow have identified the need to muscle up their batting line-up too.
“At the mega auction, they would be looking to buy players who have impressive strike rates and are capable of explosive knocks that often shape the course of T20 matches,” the source added.
In 2024, Lucknow lost three of their last five group games to finish seventh in the standings among 10 teams in spite of being in the top half for the better part of the campaign.
After advancing to the play-offs in the first two years of their existence, not qualifying to the business end of the tournament for the third time in a row was a bitter blow to the team management.
As part of course correction measures, LSG now believe they would have to address their batting woes while assembling a formidable squad, following which they will decide who will lead the team.
Under skipper KL Rahul, LSG failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament last year Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
