Mayank Yadav, who recently made his international debut for India in the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior, has now become a critical part of the IPL 2025 discussion. His impressive performance in his debut match has created a retention dilemma for his franchise, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Mayank Yadav’s Status and Retention Costs
As per IPL retention rules, any uncapped player who becomes an international player before the IPL auction is reclassified as a “capped player.” This change significantly affects their retention cost. If LSG decides to retain Mayank, they will need to spend a minimum of ₹11 crore, as he would be the third-choice retention. The cost is higher for the first two retentions, with ₹18 crore for the first choice and ₹14 crore for the second.
Will LSG Retain Mayank?
Sources close to the franchise suggest that LSG is not willing to let go of Mayank Yadav easily. An unnamed IPL insider said, “There is no way that LSG will put a rare bowler like Mayank back in the auction pool. They have invested in him for the past two seasons and he will certainly be one among the top three retentions.”
The current LSG roster has big names like KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, and Marcus Stoinis. However, Mayank’s raw pace and potential have caught the attention of head coach Justin Langer and new mentor Zaheer Khan. Mayank impressed on his debut with a strong start, bowling with pace and maintaining pressure in his four-over spell.
Mayank’s Value to LSG
Considering his recent performance and the team’s investment in him over the past two seasons, it seems likely that LSG will retain Mayank Yadav for IPL 2025. The team may be willing to spend the required ₹11 crore to secure the services of the young pacer, who has shown promising talent and growth potential.
As LSG strategizes for IPL 2025, the decision to retain Mayank Yadav will not only be a financial consideration but also a tactical one to maintain a strong bowling lineup.