Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran.(Source -IPL/BCCI)
The Lucknow Super Giants have been one of the few franchises who have managed to put on impressive outings in IPL in their first two seasons after coming into existence, with them finishing third in the points table in 2022 and 2023.
Although they were knocked out in the Eliminator in both these years, there was a plethora of positives to be drawn out from their display. However, the 2024 edition turned out to be packed with disappointment as LSG slumped to three consecutive losses in their final four games, missing the knockouts due to their inferior net run rate.
The BCCI is yet to finalise the number of retentions which franchises will be allowed to make as well as the utilisation of the Right To Match cards. However, it is quite probable that the franchise will retain the following players.
3. Mayank Yadav
Although a muscle tear ruled Mayank Yadav out of the majority of the previous IPL season, the youngster’s nascent stint with LSG was one to remember. The speedster was consistently able to go past the 145 kph-mark, with his peppy thunderbolts proving hard to counter for quite a few experienced batters as well.
The first two games were a dream, with his respective three-wicket hauls wrecking havoc on opposition, earning him succuessive Player of the Match accolades. LSG will be hoping the injury-prone pacer gets back to fitness soon and will be up and running for the franchise in IPL 2025.
2. Marcus Stoinis
Coming in from the Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2022, expectations were high for Stoinis to deliver for the newly-born franchise. However, it didn’t work out for him. Nonetheless, the seasons to follow really signified the utility of Stoinis, as it could be clearly seen that LSG did not just use him as a middle-order hitter, but as a full-fledged batter by promoting him up the order.
The most encouraging aspect of Stoinis’ batting was the fact that the proactiveness didn’t diminish, which could be seen in his strike rate of 147.52 and 150 in the 2023 (408 runs) and 2024 (388 runs) editions, respectively. The biggest factor adding up in his favour is the endless list of T20 experience the all-rounder possesses, which could prompt the franchise to retain him.
Also read: Marcus Stoinis’ salary in IPL 2024
1. Nicolas Pooran
The West Indian wicketkeeper-batter has only grown from strength to strength ever since he joined the LSG ranks. The past couple of seasons have been truly wonderful for Pooran, who remained an integral component in the middle-order of the franchisE. He is someone not afraid to take the charge to the bowlers in any kind of situation and possesses the ability to take away games from the opposition single-handedly on his day.
The past couple of seasons have been one the best ones for him, wherein he hoarded 358 and 499 runs at ferocious strike rates of 172.95 and 178.21. Imposing campaigns at the T20 World Cup 2024 as well as The Hundred 2024 have only intensified the swashbuckling southpaw’s track record in the format and is enough to make him one of LSG’s retentions.