IPL 2025: LSG Targeted XI, Budget Allocation And Mega Auction Plan - All You Need To Know

Lucknow Super Giants' IPL 2025 mega auction plan [Source: @IPL/X.com]

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), moving on from captain KL Rahul, will aim to build a robust lineup for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. With a constrained budget, LSG will aim for a couple of marquee players whilst ensuring the acquisition of promising Indian talent.

LSG's most shocking move was to release captain KL Rahul at the retention deadline as they went with 5 retentions, including 2 uncapped players, and cashed out a significant chunk off their available INR 120 crores purse. Let's first look at the players retained by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.

LSG Retained Player List For IPL 2025

Total Slots To Be Filled In Auction - 20

Purse Left - INR 69 Crore

Targeted Openers For LSG In IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Jos Buttler (Base Price: INR 2 Crore), Jake Fraser-McGurk (Base Price: INR 2 Crore)

Estimated Spent - INR 20-25 Crore

Lucknow Super Giants' are in desperate need of a quality batting order, including 2 openers. Jos Buttler is expected to be their primary choice from the marquee set. Buttler, besides being an aggressive opener, is also a fine captaincy candidate. Besides Buttler, LSG can go after Jake Fraser-McGurk. Jake, another promising youngster from Australia, has the potential to transform into a superstar if groomed right.

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Targeted All-Rounders For LSG In IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Marcus Stoinis (Base Price: INR 2 Crore), Glenn Maxwell  (Base Price: INR 2 Crore), Nitish Rana (Base Price: INR 1.5 Crore)

Estimate spent:  25-30 crore

Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni are the only two pure batters on LSG's retention list. Hence, at the mega auction, the team will look to build a promising batting order. Once the openers are settled, LSG must use an RTM card for power hitter Marcus Stoinis. The Aussie is no longer just a finisher but has the ability to bat at no.3. He scored a century last season, which reflected his sensational hitting ability.

Besides, LSG may also choose Glenn Maxwell for a premium overseas option. But in case the budget doesn't allow it, Nitish Rana is an excellent local choice. Rana has scored over 300 runs in each IPL season since 2017 and also holds notable experience with part-time spin bowling. Hence, with Rana's experience, he could be an all-rounder target for LSG.

Targeted Bowlers For LSG In IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Base Price: INR 2 Crore), Ravichandran Ashwin (Base Price: INR 2 Crore), Kagiso Rabada  (Base Price: INR 2 Crore)

Estimate Spent : 20-25 crore

For bowling, LSG has pace options in Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan. However, they need someone who is precise when it comes to execution, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the guy who will fit into the criteria. A medium-pace bowler with the ability to swing both ways and also hold runs in death is a perfect combination for LSG.

Kagiso Rabada is another quality option who can wreak havoc with the new ball. However, to acquire him, the franchise must manage its budget to avoid overspending. Additionally, for a spin, LSG can buy Ravichandran Ashwin. The combination of off-spin and leg-spin will unsettle oppositions, thus leading to an advantage.

Back-Up Plans For LSG In IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Aiden Markram, Spencer Johnson, David Warner, Washington Sundar, Sam Curran,  Krunal Pandya, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan,  Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Angkrish Raghuvanshi

Targeted Playing 12 For LSG In IPL 2025

Jos Buttler✈️
Jake Fraser-McGurk✈️
Marcus Stoinis✈️
Nitish Rana
Nicholas Pooran (c&wk) ✈️
Ayush Badoni
Krunal Pandya
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravi Bishnoi
Mayank Yadav
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Impact Player: Shardul Thakur

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