New Delhi: KL Rahul is reportedly set to be released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mega auction. Speculations were rife regarding Rahul’s future with the franchise ever since LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka had a public outburst on the team’s captain following their 10-wicket loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 earlier this year.
While Goenka and Rahul met earlier this year to shut the rumours of differences between them, there remained uncertainties regarding the star batter’s future. It has now been revealed that LSG have decided to move on from their captain owing to his woeful performances with the bat last season. LSG arrived at the decision to let go of Rahul after a decisive analysis by head coach Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan.
As per a report in the Times of India, head coach Langer and mentor Zaheer analyzed Rahul’s role in some of LSG’s defeats last season. The duo found that the chances of the team’s defeat increased when Rahul batted for more time in the middle. The analysis revealed that Rahul failed to up the ante when required and his poor strike rate often killed the momentum for LSG.
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“The LSG management, including mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer, has analysed his stats and it has emerged that the team has almost lost all matches where KL has batted long and scored runs. That indicates that his strike rate doesn’t match the momentum of the game. With the Impact Player rule, the scores are getting higher. You can’t afford to have someone taking so much time at the top of the order,” a source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
Rahul was one of the marquee players signed by LSG ahead of their debut campaign in IPL 2022. The star batter has led the team in all three seasons that they have been part of the tournament and has led them to the playoffs twice. LSG finished seventh in IPL 2024 and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time.
Mayank Yadav set to be retained by LSG
The report further adds that young pacer Mayank Yadav is a sure-shot retention for the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL mega auction. Mayank took IPL 2024 by storm with his blistering pace and accuracy. The rising pace sensation picked up 7 wickets in 4 matches last season before getting ruled out due to an injury.
The pacer, who can clock 150kph consistently, made his India debut in the T20I series against Bangladesh last month and is likely to be one of LSG’s top 3 retentions. LSG are also considering retaining uncapped players like Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan, who have done well for the franchise over the last three seasons.
