Aaron Finch wants Lucknow Super Giants to release star Indian pace duo ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has opined that the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) should release the Indian pace duo of Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan back into the player pool ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction. The Rishabh Pant-led franchise are looking for a shake-up after conducting a massive backroom staff overhaul during the off-season.

The bowling department was an area where LSG struggled immensely during their inconsistent 2025 IPL campaign. With the likes of Mohsin Khan, Akash Deep, and Mayank Yadav missing the majority of the campaign due to injuries, they had to rope in Shardul Thakur as a late replacement, while also entrusting inexperienced pacers like Prince Yadav and Akash Singh.

LSG only had one pacer among the top 25 wicket-takers in the season, with even late signing William O'Rourke failing to make an impact during the business end of the campaign.

Aaron Finch felt that LSG should continue to stick with their explosive batters like Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Mitchell Marsh, while naming Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan as potential releases, primarily due to their injury concerns.

"Rishabh Pant, it's a lot of money to play for one player, Hold. Mayank Yadav has had a lot of injuries, does not seem to be on the park when it matters, so I am going to fold. Avesh Khan, there are injury concerns, so is he going to be fully fit or is he going to be at his best? So, I am going to have to fold," Finch told Star Sports. "David Miller, he is a match winner, has the power player role towards the death overs, so I am going to hold. Akash Deep is inconsistent, but at his best, he is very good, so I'll hold. Hold for Mitchell Marsh because we have seen him play more of T20 cricket and his destructiveness at the top of the order will be a real asset. Nicholas Pooran is a very, very good player, dangerous player, so hold, everyday of the week. There is no one more destructive when they are going," he added.

Franchises have to finalise the list of retained and released players by deadline day, set for Saturday, November 15. The mini-auction is reportedly set to take place overseas once again next month.

LSG had retained Mayank Yadav for INR 11 crore after IPL 2024

Mayank Yadav played only two matches in the IPL 2025 campaign, picking up two wickets at an average of 50 and an economy rate of 12.50. He came into the season with an injury, and unfortunately aggravated it after his set of appearances, and was eventually ruled out.

The express pacer, viewed as a massive prospect, was retained by LSG ahead of the mega auction for INR 11 crore. He went on to make his international debut as well, featuring in the home series against Bangladesh, before injury struck once again. His last appearance remains the IPL 2025 clash against the Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.

Edited by Gokul Nair