Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) announced the list of players retained ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction. In a move that surprised that many, the franchise opted to release their captain KL Rahul. With Nicholas Pooran retained for a sum of Rs 21 crore it is expected that the West Indian could lead the side.


Notably, Rahul was seen having an interaction with a rather animated Goenka after LSG's defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 after which speculation over his future in the team started.


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'It was a simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win': Goenka


And now after parting ways with the Rahul, team owner Sanjiv Goenka has said that those who put the team ahead of their personal milestones were retained. While Goenka did not make any direct reference to Rahul, his remark could be seen in the context of the players retained and released which includes the decision to let Rahul back into the auction room.


"It was a simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win, who put the team first before their personal goals and personal aspirations and we wanted to retain as much as of core we could," Goenka said in a video message on Star Sports.


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Other than Pooran, Goenka-owned LSG have retained Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav for Rs 11 crore respectively. Meanwhile, Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badani too have been retained for Rs 4 crore each. Their retentions leave them with a purse of Rs 69 crore for the bidding war while leaving them with only one Right To Match (RTM) option.