Surprisingly, KL Rahul is not among the names who are expected to feature for LSG in the upcoming season and he is expected to enter the mega auction. Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi are the 3 players set to be retained by the franchise. Pooran has also emerged as the front-runner to lead the side in the upcoming season. 'The franchise is ready to show their trust in Pooran. He captained last year too and carries a vast experience of leading his national side too. So we will be continuing with his skills. Apart from him, we are going with spearhead pacer Mayank Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi,' a source close to the franchise told IANS. Signed for Rs. 16 crore in 2023, Pooran quickly became one of the highest-paid players in the league and he showcased his power-hitting ability and leadership skills during Rahul's absence last season. On the other hand, Indian pace sensation Mayank Yadav has caught the selectors' attention with his 150 km/h deliveries and brilliant performances in his debut season. Despite an injury that limited him to only 4 matches in IPL 2024, his rapid rise led to a national call-up where he again impressed. LSG's bowling attack will be further strengthened by leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who was retained in the 2022 mega auction as an uncapped player. Over the seasons, Bishnoi has evolved into a very important player for LSG, known for his reliable economy and wicket-taking ability which has won the franchise several matches. Apart from these 3 players, the other 2 likely retentions are Mohsin Khan, the young left-arm pacer and middle-order explosive batter Ayush Badoni.