Each team will be allowed to retain a maximum of six players ahead of the mega-auction.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has suggested that KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran should be the top retentions for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction.
Chopra’s recommendation came after the BCCI announced retention rules for the IPL 2025 season. Each of the 10 IPL teams can retain up to six cricketers, through the retention and Right To Match (RTM) option.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-commentator explained why Rahul should be the team's first choice for retention.
"The first is KL Rahul because you want to make him the captain, and he is the face of the franchise," Aakash said.
"You won't get him for 18 crores in any case. If KL Rahul goes to the auction, he will take 18 crores for sure, and you don't leave the captain in any case."
Chopra also emphasized the importance of retaining Pooran, who LSG roped in for INR 16 crore during the last auction.
"At No. 2, I would say Nicholas Pooran, who they gave 16 crores last time. The sort of performances he has given in T20 cricket—don’t even think about it, you have to retain him," he added.
For the third retention, Aakash Chopra advocated for Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, highlighting his game-changing abilities.
"The third I am thinking of is Marcus Stoinis because they had retained him for 10 crores earlier, and he is that game-changer kind of a player."
Chopra also took the name of young tearaway Mayank Yadav as a potential uncapped retention, depending on his bowling display in India’s upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh.
As per the retention rules, the first and the fourth-choice players will be paid Rs 18 crore while the second and the fifth-choice players will be paid Rs 14 crore. The third option will be paid Rs 4 crore.
If a team wishes to retain five players, it has to shell out Rs 75 crore out of the increased purse of Rs 120 crore.