KL Rahul certain to be axed by Lucknow Super Giants, Mayank Yadav set for massive wage boost: Reports

According to reports doing the rounds, KL Rahul is set to be released by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2025 season. The 32-year-old was the initial pick for Lucknow ahead of the IPL 2022 season and was also given the captaincy. There were rumours of LSG management being unhappy with the team’s performance, especially after the ten-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

The reports also state that Mayank Yadav is set to be retained for a huge sum of money. Other likely reported retentions are young leg-spin sensation Ravi Bishnoi and West Indian ace Nicholas Pooran. 22-year-old Mayank Yadav has made a huge impression since his debut this year and has also gone on to represent India recently. 

India Today quoted one unnamed LSG source saying, “We have discussed KL’s role with the team management multiple times, and there is consent that we will move forward without him." If KL Rahul is indeed released then LSG will be looking for a huge superstar name to replace him at the top and also captain the side. 

Is KL Rahul set to play the Pune Test match for India?

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir addressed the media ahead of the huge second game against New Zealand. The 43-year-old has hinted that Rahul will be part of the team despite his below-par showing during the Bengaluru Test match. Veteran Indian star scored 0 in the first innings and followed it up with 12 runs in the second innings. This piled huge pressure on the right-handed batter due to his recent inconsistent showings with the bat. 

Speaking to the media Gambhir said, “First of all, social media does not matter one bit. You do not pick players because of the social media or what the experts think. What the team management thinks, what the leadership group thinks, is very very important. Ultimately, everyone is judged, international cricket is about being judged. Everyone's performance will be judged eventually."

India’s head coach backed the under fire and expected him to do well in the coming games. “But I feel he is batting really well, he has had a decent knock in Kanpur, obviously on a difficult wicket and he played according to the plans. He would be knowing that he wants to score big runs, he has that capability of scoring these big runs that is why he is being backed by the team management," he added.