Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Lucknow Super Giants should prioritize retaining KL Rahul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. He pointed out that if Rahul, the team's captain, goes into the auction, he will likely fetch over ₹18 crore.
Given his importance to the team, Chopra suggests Rahul should be the first retention choice for the franchise. Rahul had a solid IPL 2024 season, scoring 520 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 136.12.
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However, his captaincy has been criticized for being too defensive, raising questions about whether LSG will continue with him as captain. Still, Chopra thinks LSG should not let go of their skipper.
What is Aakash Chopra's opinion on KL Rahul's value?
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted that Rahul is the face of the franchise. He added that letting Rahul go to the auction could be a mistake because his price will soar above ₹18 crore.
"KL Rahul is the captain, and you don’t leave the captain. He’s crucial for the team’s continuity. If he goes to the auction, he will definitely take ₹18 crores," said Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.
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Alongside Rahul, Chopra also recommended retaining Nicholas Pooran. LSG spent ₹16 crore on him during the last auction, and according to Chopra, Pooran's T20 performances make him an essential part of the squad.
For the third retention, Chopra mentioned Marcus Stoinis, highlighting his ability to change games. LSG had retained him for ₹10 crore in the past, and his all-round skills are highly valued.
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Chopra also discussed Mayank Yadav as a potential uncapped retention. However, his status may change if he receives an India cap in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh.
If Yadav is capped, LSG might have to use the Right To Match (RTM) card instead of retaining him as an uncapped player.
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