Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised concerns about Lucknow Super Giants' decision to retain Mayank Yadav for INR 11 crore ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Chopra questioned the value of the young pacer, noting his limited availability over the past two seasons due to persistent injury and fitness problems. Despite his match-winning performances when fit, Mayank has played only four matches in two years. LSG finished seventh in IPL 2025, with Mayank appearing in just two games this season. Chopra suggested the franchise should release him and potentially buy him back later. However, he strongly advocated for retaining captain Rishabh Pant, emphasizing his worth despite the INR 27 crore price tag. Chopra also provided recommendations on other players, suggesting LSG retain Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, and David Miller while releasing Akash Deep before the auction.
Chopra's Recommendations for LSG's Retention Strategy
Chopra emphasized that Rishabh Pant should definitely be retained as captain despite his high salary of INR 27 crore, describing him as dynamite and warning against trying to save money by releasing him. Regarding other players, he recommended retaining Ravi Bishnoi at INR 11 crore, arguing that as a proven T20 match-winner, he would likely command similar or higher prices in the inflated mini-auction market. Chopra also advised keeping Avesh Khan at INR 9.75 crore, citing the need for Indian fast bowlers. However, he suggested releasing Akash Deep at INR 8 crore due to poor white-ball cricket performances. Acknowledging fitness concerns around Mohsin Khan, Chopra recommended retaining David Miller for the upcoming season.
Source: Link