"We may see a change of guard at the top" - Saba Karim says Nicholas Pooran could captain LSG in IPL 2025

Saba Karim reckons Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul will likely be the Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) first two retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. However, he opined that Pooran might take over the franchise's captaincy from Rahul.

LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2024, finishing seventh in the 10-team league. Rahul drew criticism for his captaincy in some of the games and was involved in an animated discussion with Sanjiv Goenka, the franchise owner, after their 10-wicket annihilation at the hands of the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).

During a discussion on Sports 18, Saba Karim opined that Pooran and Rahul would potentially be LSG's top two retentions but added that the franchise might see a captaincy change.

"Nicholas Pooran has to be the No. 1 pick for them. They do have some options but top of the game has to be KL Rahul if they want to continue with him. Whatever we have noticed, it seems like they would retain him. It has to be KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran", he said.

"We may see a change of guard at the top. So what about Nicholas Pooran because he has led sides in some of the other leagues. So we may see a change of guard but they may go ahead with KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran as the two obvious picks. What about Quinton de Kock? He is the other option they have," the former India wicketkeeper-batter added.

Rahul amassed 520 runs at an average of 37.14 and a strike rate of 136.12 in 14 innings in IPL 2024. Pooran smashed 499 runs at an average of 62.38 and a strike rate of 178.21 in his 14 hits.

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"He is in fine form and he will be a mainstay for LSG" - Saba Karim on Ayush Badoni

Ayush Badoni aggregated 235 runs at a strike rate of 137.42 in 12 innings in IPL 2024. [P/C: iplt20,com]

In the same discussion, Saba Karim noted that Ayush Badoni and Amit Mishra could be retained as uncapped players, with the veteran leg-spinner as per the new rules.

"I am looking at Ayush Badoni. He is in fine form and he will be a mainstay for LSG. Now he can bowl his right-arm off-spinners in case it is required. Ravi Bishnoi is another option. What about Amit Mishra? He can be your uncapped player," he observed.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Mayank Yadav, if he doesn't play for India against Bangladesh, and Mohsin Khan could be other uncapped player options for LSG.

"Mayank Yadav can come in as an uncapped player if he doesn't get a look-in. Otherwise, Ravi Bishnoi as your third retention. I am not very sure about Devdutt Padikkal. Mohsin Khan is fit and in good form. I saw him in the UPCA T20 league. He did very well. He should be a strong bet, especially with Zak (Zaheer Khan) coming in," Saba Karim elaborated.

Mayank picked up seven wickets at an economy rate of 6.98 in four innings in IPL 2024. Mohsin accounted for 10 dismissals in as many games at an economy rate of 10.13.