Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has suggested that the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) should consider releasing Mayank Yadav ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. He questioned whether Mayank is worth INR 11 crore, pointing out that the young pacer has missed the majority of games over the last two seasons due to injuries and fitness issues.
LSG finished seventh out of ten teams in the IPL 2025 season. Mayank, who was one of the franchise’s key retention figures ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction,
managed to play only two matches in this year’s edition. Chopra further opined that while Rishabh Pant should be retained, Mayank might be better released before the IPL 2026 auction.
"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 said 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 added.
Chopra further stated that LSG should retain Ravi Bishnoi ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. He also recommended that the franchise must retain Avesh Khan but release Akash Deep before the auction. Acknowledging that Mohsin Khan has also faced fitness concerns, Chopra advised LSG to retain David Miller for the upcoming season.
"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," said 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 added.
