KL Rahul to be Released: IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is reportedly set to release their captain KL Rahul ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. After closely analyzing his performance, particularly his strike rate, the team management feels that his batting pace does not match the needs of the game, which has led to negative results.
KL Rahul’s Journey with LSG
KL Rahul has been with Lucknow Super Giants since their inception in 2022 and has led the team for three seasons. Under his captaincy, LSG made it to the playoffs twice, but the team management is now questioning his suitability for the evolving dynamics of T20 cricket.
- Matches for LSG: 38
- Runs Scored: 1410
- Injuries: Suffered a mid-season injury in IPL 2023, limiting participation to nine games
Performance Concerns
The main concern for LSG lies in KL Rahul’s strike rate. According to a report from The Times of India, the LSG management, including mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer, has analyzed his stats and found a trend of losses in matches where Rahul batted long and accumulated runs at a slower pace.
An IPL insider revealed, “The team has almost lost all matches where KL has batted long and scored runs, indicating that his strike rate doesn’t match the momentum of the game.”
Key concerns:
- Increased scoring demands: With the implementation of the Impact Player rule, higher scores are becoming common, making it difficult for teams to afford slow starts at the top of the order.
- Strike Rate Trend:
- 2022: 616 runs, strike rate of 135.38
- 2023: Strike rate dropped to 113.22 (injury-limited season)
Read also: KL Rahul Biography, Wiki, Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Girlfriend, Family, Net Worth 2024
IPL Career Overview: KL Rahul to be Released
KL Rahul has had an impressive IPL career overall, with multiple standout seasons. His best strike rate came in 2018 when he played for Punjab Kings, where he scored 659 runs with a blistering strike rate of 158.41.
- Total Matches Played: 132
- Total Runs: 4683
- Strike Rate: 134.61
- Centuries: 4
- Half-centuries: 37
| Year | Team | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Punjab Kings | 14 | 659 | 158.41 |
| 2022 | Lucknow Super Giants | 15 | 616 | 135.38 |
| 2023 | Lucknow Super Giants | 9 | 274 | 113.22 |
| 2024 | Lucknow Super Giants | 14 | 520 | 136.13 |
LSG Retentions and Future Plans
Despite the decision to release KL Rahul, LSG might still consider bidding for him in the upcoming IPL auction. However, the focus now shifts to retaining their core players. According to reports, fast bowler Mayank Yadav, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, and wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran are among the top retention choices for LSG.
Top Retention Candidates:
- Mayank Yadav: Fast bowling sensation
- Ravi Bishnoi: Talented leg-spinner
- Nicholas Pooran: Dynamic wicketkeeper-batter
The deadline for announcing retentions is October 31, and LSG seems to be moving forward with a new strategy for the 2025 season.
Conclusion
KL Rahul’s journey with LSG may be coming to an end, but his IPL legacy remains strong. As LSG rethinks its approach to T20 cricket, especially in light of evolving game strategies like the Impact Player rule, the franchise is looking to shape its squad for future success. It will be interesting to see where Rahul lands in the IPL 2025 auction and how LSG plans to build its team around key retentions.
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