IPL 2025: 3 Expensive LSG players who gave low returns

Big bids do not always end in gains, and IPL 2025 was no exception for the Lucknow Super Giants. Although some of the marquee players took LSG to some of the most memorable moments, a couple of their most expensive picks couldn't quite live up to the heavy spending. There are three of these high-cost players whose gains left fans and the management in head-scratching wonder.

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1. Rishabh Pant (₹ 27 crore)

LSG shocked the cricket fraternity by signing India's explosive wicket-keeper batter for an all-time high ₹ 27 crore at the mega auction. There were huge expectations from Pant to stabilise the top order and lead the team as the captain. Instead, he scored 269 runs in 14 innings at a humble average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16, with a lone century & half-century doing nothing to revive a struggling side. These kinds of returns, particularly from the most costly player in the tournament ever, were far below par from game-changing performances that LSG had hoped for.

2. David Miller (₹ 7.50 crore)

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Recruited for ₹ 7.50 crore as a power hitter and a finisher, South African old-timer David Miller walked in with a lot of hype. But the "Killer Miller" tag did not result in big scores. In 11 innings, he scored just 153 runs at an average well in the teens and a strike rate of 127.49. Though glimpses of his typical strength were there, too many beginnings were left incomplete, and LSG's chase strategies were left in disarray at a time when stability was required.

3. Mayank Yadav (₹ 11 crore)

A gem of a prospect in domestic cricket, young pace bowler Mayank Yadav was picked up at a whopping ₹ 11 crore on the strength of his raw pace and yorker ability. But form and injury conspired to restrict his influence. Appearing in just 2 games, he took 2 wickets while conceding runs at a brain-numbing economy of 12.50. What appeared to be an investment in match-winning futures instead proved a reminder of the importance of availability and execution as much as ability.

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