Mayank Yadav becoming an international player has created financial problems for LSG, but retaining him seems to be the most viable option.
Mayank Yadav’s recent debut for India has drastically changed his standing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) now face a challenging decision regarding his future in the team.
Before his international debut, Mayank Yadav was considered an uncapped player, which meant LSG could have retained him for the upcoming IPL 2025 season at a cost of INR 4 crore. However, his debut during the India-Bangladesh T20I series has placed him in the ‘international player’ category, significantly complicating LSG’s retention strategy.
As per the new IPL retention rules, limited-over players are subject to a higher retention fee. For LSG, this means that to retain Mayank, they would have to allocate at least INR 11 crore from their auction pool. This is the minimum holding price for limited players, as per the current structure, where the highest retained player earns INR 18 crore and the second-placed player is valued at INR 14 crore.
Mayank’s debut couldn’t have come at a more delicate time for LSG. His ability to bowl consistently at over 150 kmph makes him one of the most promising fast bowlers in the country. Naturally, this ability makes him highly sought after, and releasing him into the auction pool could prove risky.
Retaining Mayank Yadav seems safer than using RTM on him in IPL 2025 auction
If LSG were to release him and try to bring him back via the Right to Match (RTM) card, it could trigger a bidding war, given the shortage of players with his pace. Teams are always looking for pure pace, and Mayank’s ability to generate quick pace would certainly attract substantial interest from rival franchises, potentially pushing his price well beyond the INR 11 crore mark.
In light of these factors, retaining Mayank for INR 11 crore seems the safer, albeit more expensive, option. LSG must consider that its value in the open auction could exceed that figure, so it would be financially prudent to fix it at the established retention price.
Furthermore, Mayank’s international experience will only enhance his stature as a key player for the franchise, and losing him to a competing team could weaken LSG’s fast bowling arsenal.
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Additionally, LSG’s retention strategy will need to take into account other big names in its squad. Players like KL Rahul, who commands INR 18 crore as their highest-paid player, and Nicholas Pooran with INR 14 crore, are non-negotiable retainers for the franchise. Given this, Mayank Yadav would likely take the third spot in retention with INR 11 crore, completing a trio of key players.
Even if KL Rahul opts to leave LSG, the franchise will opt to pick Pooran and Marcus Stoinis as their first two retainers, leaving the option open for Mayank to be the third retainer again.
While LSG has the option to exercise the RTM card if they release it in the auction, the risks associated with this strategy cannot be ignored. The bidding process could explode, with all teams potentially competing for his services.
Mayank Yadav’s ability to bowl at over 150 kmph is a rarity and franchises are always eager to bolster their pace attack with such talent. The RTM option, though tempting, could end up costing LSG significantly more than the retaining price of INR 11 crore, a gamble the franchise may want to avoid.
Another crucial factor to consider is the long-term investment that Mayank Yadav represents. At just 21 years old, his career is in its early stages and securing his services for the foreseeable future would solidify LSG’s fast bowling department. Its raw pace and growth potential make it a valuable asset, and the Rs 11 crore investment could be seen as the cornerstone of the franchise’s future success.
While Mayank Yadav’s elevation to an international player has created financial challenges for LSG, retaining him seems to be the most viable option. Given the potential for a bidding war at the auction and his future growth prospects, LSG would do well to secure him as a key player in their team for IPL 2025 and beyond.