Prior to the IPL 2026 mini-auction, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has recommended that the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) think about releasing Mayank Yadav. Given that the young pacer has missed most of the games over the past two seasons due to injuries and fitness concerns, he questioned whether Mayank Yadav is worth INR 11 crore.
In the IPL 2025 season, LSG came in seventh place out of ten teams. Mayank Yadav, who was one of the franchise’s key retention figures ahead of the IPL 2025 big auction, managed to play only two matches in this year’s edition. Chopra went on to say that Mayank could be better off being released prior to the IPL 2026 auction, even though Rishabh Pant should be kept.
“Should Rishabh Pant be released? I would say no. You don’t spend ₹27 crore just for one season. He is a dynamite. Keep him with you and retain him as captain. If you feel you will repurchase Rishabh Pant, a team isn’t created by saving a few crores,” Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.
“Should Mayank Yadav be released or retained? He is for ₹11 crore.
When he plays, he straightaway becomes the Player of the Match, but it’s also the truth that he has played only four matches in the last two years. If you are unable to play an entire season, are you worth ₹11 crore? Let Mayank Yadav go and buy him back if you wish,” he stated.
Chopra went on to say that before the IPL 2026 mini-auction, LSG ought to keep Ravi Bishnoi. Additionally, he suggested that the franchise release Akash Deep prior to the auction while keeping Avesh Khan. Chopra suggested that LSG keep David Miller for the next season, acknowledging that Mohsin Khan has also experienced fitness issues.
“The second question will be about Ravi Bishnoi – ₹11 crore. I am thinking that it’s a mini auction. Ravi Bishnoi is a proven T20 match-winner, was very high in the T20 rankings for a long time, his last year was not good, but if he goes into the auction, will he get ₹11 crore? It’s a mini auction and the prices are inflated. So, retain Ravi Bishnoi,” stated Chopra.
“Avesh Khan – ₹9.75 crore, retain him. He is expensive, but retain him. You need Indian fast bowlers. Akash Deep – ₹8 crore, I would say release him because he is not doing well in white-ball cricket, unless something has changed in his bowling style,” he stated.
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