The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have made a significant move ahead of the upcoming IPL mega auction, appointing former Indian fast bowling legend Zaheer Khan as their new mentor. This appointment comes amidst speculation about the team’s strategy for the auction and the future of some of their key players.
The arrival of Zaheer Khan as mentor coincides with uncertainty surrounding the status of KL Rahul, a key player for LSG. Additionally, rumors have been swirling about LSG’s potential acquisition of Rohit Sharma, the T20 World Cup-winning captain and a prominent figure for the Mumbai Indians (MI). Rohit’s future with MI has been called into question following the franchise’s decision to replace him as captain with Hardik Pandya, a move that has generated significant backlash among fans.
A particularly sensational report suggested that LSG had set aside a massive Rs 50 crore to secure Rohit Sharma if he were to become available in the auction. However, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka quickly dismissed this speculation as unfounded and impractical during an interview with SportsTak.
“Do you even know if Rohit Sharma is entering the auction? This is all unnecessary. It all depends on whether Mumbai Indians release Rohit Sharma or not. And even if Rohit comes to auction… if you put 50 per cent of your purse on one player, how will you buy other players?” Goenka responded with a chuckle.
“Everyone wishes to have the best captain and best players. It’s not about wanting. It all depends on what you have, what is available, and what all you can do with it. Every franchise will have the same desire,” he continued.
Goenka emphasized that while acquiring a player of Rohit Sharma’s caliber would undoubtedly be an asset for any team, allocating such a significant portion of the franchise’s budget to a single player would be financially impractical. He reiterated that LSG’s primary focus remains on constructing a balanced and competitive squad for the upcoming season. With the IPL auction on the horizon, the LSG’s strategy and decisions regarding their roster will undoubtedly be closely watched.
