Nicholas Pooran, the explosive West Indies batter, has effectively positioned himself as the first official retention for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the lead-up to the IPL 2025 season. According to a report from Cricbuzz, Pooran’s retention was confirmed following a crucial meeting with Sanjiv Goenka, owner of the Lucknow franchise, in Kolkata on Tuesday.
This high-stakes discussion concluded with Pooran securing a lucrative ₹18 crore deal, a package that underscores LSG’s confidence in his ability to deliver power-packed performances as they strategize for the forthcoming IPL season. His remarkable run in the previous season and his reputation as a versatile and dependable batter played a significant role in sealing this agreement.
Previously, KL Rahul, who captained LSG in the last two seasons, was widely considered the franchise’s top retention prospect. Rahul, who led LSG with consistent performances at the top order, was expected to be a cornerstone of their squad in IPL 2025. However, contract negotiations reportedly faltered, leading to a surprising shift in the team’s retention strategy.
This breakdown opened up an unexpected opportunity for Pooran, who has demonstrated his capability to take on dynamic roles and influence games with his aggressive batting style. The franchise’s decision to pivot toward Pooran suggests a possible shift in their leadership or batting strategy to add more depth to the lineup.
The addition of Pooran at such a substantial value indicates LSG’s intentions to recalibrate its team structure. His ₹18 crore package places him among the top-earning players in the league, highlighting his elevated status within the franchise and IPL at large.
This move aligns with the emerging trend of IPL teams investing heavily in hard-hitting, versatile players who can adapt to changing match conditions and play decisive roles across formats. Pooran’s retention, while a major decision for the franchise, may also influence how other teams approach their player retention and acquisition strategies ahead of IPL 2025.
Under the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) IPL retention rules, the top retention within any franchise receives a maximum salary of ₹18 crore, a milestone which Nicholas Pooran has now achieved. This not only marks his highest IPL paycheck to date but also underscores Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) substantial faith in his abilities.
Pooran’s previous highest bid in the IPL auction was ahead of the 2023 season, where he joined LSG at a price tag of ₹16 crore after being released by Sunrisers Hyderabad. His subsequent success has solidified his reputation as a critical asset, making his new retention package a testament to his evolving role within the league.
Pooran’s commitment to LSG is rooted not just in his exceptional skill but in his ability to approach the game with a strategic, winning mindset. A franchise source highlighted his adaptability and depth of thinking, underscoring his capacity to adjust to any batting position or match situation as a major advantage for LSG.
This versatility enables him to stabilize innings when needed or accelerate the scoring rate in critical phases, demonstrating his value as a well-rounded player who can meet diverse challenges head-on. His adaptability is particularly vital as teams look to build flexible and resilient squads capable of responding to rapidly changing game dynamics.
Statistically, Pooran’s performance for LSG last season was nothing short of remarkable. He emerged as one of the team’s top scorers, amassing 499 runs at an impressive average of 62.38 and a blistering strike rate of 178.21, which included three half-centuries. His consistency and high scoring rate were instrumental in LSG’s campaign, and his success followed a strong showing in the prior season, where he accumulated 358 runs.
Pooran’s back-to-back productive seasons reflect his growth as a dependable middle-order mainstay, positioning him as a player capable of shouldering significant responsibility in the forthcoming IPL season. His retention, now at the franchise’s top salary tier, speaks volumes about LSG’s vision for his role as a cornerstone of their lineup.
Nicholas Pooran has emerged as the highest run-scorer across all forms of T20 cricket in 2024, amassing an impressive 2,251 runs from 68 matches. This achievement places him well ahead of his counterparts, with the next highest-ranked Indian, Virat Kohli, notably further down the list at No. 40.
Pooran’s prolific run-scoring ability has underscored his indispensable role in the T20 format, cementing him as a prized asset not only for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) but also on the global T20 circuit. His dominance in 2024 provides LSG with a powerful middle-order anchor who consistently capitalizes on scoring opportunities, further validating his substantial retention deal with the franchise.
With the IPL mega-auction scheduled for next month, there is considerable anticipation surrounding the bidding for marquee Indian players. KL Rahul, formerly a mainstay with LSG, is widely expected to attract significant interest given his past leadership experience and consistent batting performances.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), in particular, are reportedly eyeing Rahul as a potential captaincy replacement for Faf du Plessis, who, at 40, may be nearing the end of his IPL career. Rahul’s history with RCB, where he began his IPL journey in 2014, adds an element of intrigue to the possibility of his return. His proven batting skills, coupled with his familiarity with the franchise, position him as a fitting successor to lead RCB in the seasons to come.
With Pooran firmly positioned as LSG’s top retention, the franchise is expected to retain four other key players—Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan. These retentions, reflecting LSG’s commitment to building a balanced core, would leave the team with a significant auction purse of ₹69 crore.
This budget will allow LSG to fill at least 15 open slots, making the upcoming auction critical for constructing a well-rounded lineup. Each addition will need to complement their retained players, strategically strengthening both their batting depth and bowling arsenal as LSG aims to secure a competitive edge in the 2025 IPL season.