Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has said that KL Rahul is a very potent wicketkeeper-batter who has consistently scored runs in the Indian Premier League and even though people might be upset over his strike rate, he will draw quite a few bidders in the mega auction. The franchises are required to finalise their retentions before October 31.

According to reports, during a meeting with the Lucknow Super Giants owners, Rahul hadn't committed to accepting if a retention offer was made. With the retention deadline on October 31, a decision has expectedly been made and it is believed that Rahul will feature in the mega auction.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra suggested that not just Rahul, but a wicketkeeper-batter like Rishabh Pant will also gain a lot of bidders if he is in the auction pool.

"The same is true for KL Rahul. Again a wicketkeeper-batter and he scores 500-600 runs every year. Some people might cry over his strike rate but I saw a meme somewhere that he is more than 30 years old, married, and everyone is saying he is finished, so CSK might take him as such players go there," Chopra quipped.

"He can go to Bengaluru as well. Of course, it's his home as well. All the same franchises, Punjab, Delhi, Mumbai, where his numbers are very good, Kolkata, everyone needs him," Chopra said.

The franchises have been permitted to retain up to six players ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, of which only five can be capped international players.

"It's being heard that Rishabh Pant might be available at the auction. Although the jury is out, many people say his numbers in T20s are not that good, had only one breakthrough season in the IPL and hasn't scored too many runs apart from that, I can give you in writing that the bank would be broken if his name comes in the auction," Chopra said.

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