Should Lucknow Super Giants let go of their pace duo?
Former Aussie cricket star Aaron Finch has sparked a debate ahead of the IPL 2026 auction with his bold advice to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Finch suggests that LSG should consider releasing pacers Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan due to their injury-prone nature. With the retention list deadline approaching on November 15, Finch's comments have certainly raised eyebrows.
"Injury concerns are a real factor here. Mayank Yadav has had a string of injuries, and Avesh Khan's fitness is also questionable. It's a tough call, but LSG might be better off without them," Finch stated during an interview with Star Sports.
But here's where it gets controversial... Finch also provided his take on who LSG should retain. He highlighted four key players, including Rishabh Pant, David Miller, Akash Deep, and Nicholas Pooran. Finch believes these players offer a unique skill set and can be real game-changers.
"David Miller is a match-winner, a power player who can dominate the death overs. Akash Deep, while inconsistent, has the potential to be a star. Mitchell Marsh's T20 prowess and destructive batting at the top order are invaluable. And Nicholas Pooran, well, he's simply too good to let go," Finch explained.
Now, let's delve into the history of these players. Mayank Yadav, retained for a hefty INR 11 crore before the IPL 2025 mega auction, played just a couple of matches before a back injury ended his tournament. Avesh, on the other hand, was a Rajasthan Royals buy at the mega auction and picked up 13 wickets in as many matches, but his economy rate of 10.28 is a concern.
So, should LSG follow Finch's advice and release these pacers? Or do you think they are crucial to the team's success? The debate is on! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. We'd love to hear your opinions on this intriguing topic!
