Mohammad Kaif says LSG should look to retain fully fit players in next season of IPL

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif reckons Lucknow Super Giants should look to back fully fit players in the next edition of the IPL. Kaif noted that LSG’s whole bowling line-up is injury-prone. While Mohsin Khan was ruled out before the start of the season, Mayank Yadav joined the team during the middle phase.

However, Yadav was once again ruled out of the tournament after suffering another back injury. Ahead of the mega-auction in 2024, LSG had retained Nicholas Pooran (Rs 21 crore), Ravi Bishnoi (Rs 11 crore), Mayank Yadav (Rs 11 crore), Mohsin Khan (Rs 4 crore), and Ayush Badoni (Rs 4 crore).

“I would rather pay money to retain players who can play the full season. LSG’s entire bowling attack is injury-prone. I’m not saying injuries don’t happen, but for players who are more susceptible to them — stop retaining them for big money. Instead, pick them up at the auction,” Kaif said after the match on Star Sports as quoted by India Today.

Meanwhile, LSG was knocked out of the tournament after they suffered a six-wicket loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Lucknow on Monday. LSG posted 205 runs on the board but could not defend the total after Abhishek Sharma scored a fine knock of 59 runs off just 20 balls.

Furthermore, Heinrich Klaasen scored 47 runs whereas Ishan Kishan and Kamindu Mendis scored 35 and 32 runs respectively. 

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant was dismissed for only seven runs as his poor form continued. The left-hander has scored 135 runs in 11 innings at an average of 12.27 and a strike rate of 100 in the ongoing IPL 2025.

LSG will next take on the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday.