November 7, 2024: After not being retained by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2025, Naveen-ul-Haq shared a heartfelt message reflecting on his two-year journey with the franchise. The Afghan seamer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of LSG during the last two IPL seasons, acknowledging both the management and the players who contributed to his experience.
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Taking to Instagram, Naveen thanked LSG for the chance to play for the franchise, saying, “Thankful for the opportunity and being part of this amazing team for the past 2 seasons. My best wishes will always be with everyone involved in this team in the future… to the management, staff, and the guys working behind the scenes. And not to forget LSG brigade, thank you everyone.”
Naveen’s message reflected his deep appreciation for the team’s efforts and camaraderie, despite the fact that he won’t be part of the franchise for IPL 2025. This gesture highlights his professionalism and gratitude for the platform he was given to showcase his skills.
In October, LSG announced their retention list for IPL 2025, which included key players like Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi, as well as uncapped stars Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. However, the franchise decided not to retain Naveen-ul-Haq or their former captain KL Rahul.
The release of KL Rahul—who was not just the captain but also one of the team’s top performers—signals a significant shift in the team’s strategy. It suggests that LSG is focusing on a strategic overhaul with an emphasis on retaining top performers and moving away from past leadership.
LSG’s decisions to retain key players and release prominent figures like Rahul point towards a major reshuffling. With players like KL Rahul entering the IPL 2025 mega-auction, the season promises to be full of excitement, with teams looking to strengthen their squads for a fresh challenge.
Rahul’s availability will undoubtedly attract significant interest from various franchises, as his solid batting performances make him a valuable asset, particularly in the middle order. His leadership experience is also expected to be a major factor in which team picks him up.
As franchises finalize their strategies, these retention decisions will play a pivotal role in shaping the competition for IPL 2025. Naveen-ul-Haq, though not retained by LSG, will likely attract interest from other IPL franchises looking for a capable fast bowler with his skillset.
Although Naveen will not continue with LSG, his talent and potential have not gone unnoticed. With 14 wickets in 10 matches in IPL 2024, he remains a formidable option for teams in need of a bowler who can deliver in pressure situations. His international experience and performances in T20 leagues globally will likely keep him in high demand during the upcoming IPL auction.
This season of IPL is shaping up to be a fascinating one, with major reshuffles and a potential bidding war for key players like KL Rahul. As for Naveen-ul-Haq, his journey in the IPL may be far from over, and with his determination, he will undoubtedly continue to leave an impact wherever he plays.
