IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra confident that KL Rahul will command a hefty price in LSG’s retention targets for upcoming auction

New Delhi: Renowned cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has suggested that KL Rahul be retained as the top choice for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. He emphasized that if the franchise decides to release their captain into the auction pool, he could easily command a price tag of over 18 crores.

Rahul gathered 520 run at a strike rate of 136.12 in 14 innings in IPL 2024. However, his conservative captaincy style has drawn criticism from several experts, raising questions about whether LSG will continue with him as their leader.

In a video shared on his official YouTube channel, Chopra stated that Rahul should be the first of LSG’s three capped retentions. He also highlighted that pacer Mayank Yadav, who could have been retained as an uncapped player, is likely to become capped in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh.

“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,” he said.

“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.

LSG got KL Rahul for 17 crore as a draft pick ahead of the last mega auction. Marcus Stoinis and Ravi Bishnoi were their other draft picks before the IPL 2022 auction.