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LSG (Source: Twitter)
The player auction for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to take place in Dubai on December 19 - for the first time outside India. A total of 1166 players (830 Indians and 336 foreigners) will go under the hammer. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who have performed well in their first two seasons, will aim to rope in a few talented players to form a solid unit for the upcoming season.
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The Lucknow-based franchise has INR 13.9 Crores left in the bank with five slots left to fill. KL Rahul's side made it to the playoffs in both seasons but failed to win a game in the knockout stages. As they aim to break the deadlock this time, let's take a look at the 5 players LSG can target in the IPL 2024 mini-auction.
5. Kartik Tyagi
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LSG have traded pacer Avesh Khan to rope in top order batter Devdutt Padikkal from Rajasthan Royals. So there is a vacancy for an Indian fast bowler and Kartik Tyagi is the best option to fill that role. The 23-year-old has picked up 15 wickets in 19 IPL matches and bowled some impressive overs at the death. Considering his potential, LSG may bid for him in the upcoming auction.
4. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
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Imagine the kind of threat the spin combination of Ravi Bishnoi and Afghanistan's Mujeeb ur Rahman can create. LSG's home ground Ekana Cricket Stadium is spin-friendly and this duo can easily trouble the opposition batters. LSG lack a specialist overseas spinner and the 22-year-old can certainly fit into that void. He has been impressive in the previous seasons of the cash-rich league and has had an excellent campaign in the 2023 World Cup.
3. Wanindu Hasaranga
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If LSG are aiming to bring in a specialist spinner who can also contribute some with the bat, Wanindu Hasaranga is the best option available in the market. The Sri Lankan spin wizard is currently one of the leading spinners in the shortest format. Along with Ravi Bishnoi, the right-arm leg-spinner can dominate the game, especially in home matches.
2. Shardul Thakur
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LSG is lacking a pace-bowling all-rounder in their squad. The franchise will be happy to get Shardul Thakur onboard as they can fill the slot with a domestic player. Ekana Cricket Stadium certainly helps spinners, only fast bowlers with variations can create a threat, which is what Thakur can do. His slow balls and variety of cutters will be hard for the batters to read.
1. Daryl Mitchell
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LSG has various top-order options as well as power-hitting. New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell can bring much-needed stability to their middle-order. Apart from his ability to anchor the innings, the right-hander can also go aggressive when the situation demands. He had a remarkable outing in the recently concluded World Cup, where he scored 552 runs at an average of 69 and a strike rate of 111.07 from 10 matches. Having Nicholas Pooran in the lower middle order to fire, Mitchell can bat at No. 4 or 5 to take the game deep. Moreover, he can also contribute with his bowling skills.