In what has come as a fascinating development, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), particularly head coach Justin Langer, wanted to pick Prithvi Shaw at the IPL 2025 mega auction or even after that. However, the deal just never fell into place, and the Mumbai-born opener remained unsold this season. While Shaw didn’t find any holders, LSG’s campaign also completed as they ended on seventh spot on the points table.
LSG’s Langer wanted Shaw?
Well, according to CricBlogger, LSG head coach Justin Langer was keen on having Shaw as part of his plans and he was “nearly picked as well”. But a last-minute change of heart saw the deal fall through. “Shaw ultimately went unsold at the auction, sparking considerable resentment among fans and insiders who believed he could have been a steal at ₹30 lakh. Instead, the franchise opted to spend ₹4 crore on Ayush Badoni — a move that has raised quite a few eyebrows in the cricketing circles,” read CricBlogger’s report.
It is fascinating as to why the report mentioned Ayush Badoni’s name since he was retained for Rs 4 crore and not picked up at the auction. Alongside Badoni, LSG retained Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav and Nicholas Pooran. LSG’s auction strategy was to load up the team with overseas batters. The move seemed questionable at the start, as LSG had to rely on Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram as openers.
Shaw’s inclusion would’ve made sense as LSG lacked Indian top-order options. Despite his fitness and discipline concerns, Shaw remains one of those talented batters who are yet to hit their ceilings. He is one of the few Indians to score a Test hundred on debut, but is now nowhere near his best.
Justin Langer to be sacked before IPL 2026?
Also, LSG is reportedly set to part ways with Langer after the IPL 2025 season. Langer joined the team in July 2023, but things haven’t gone as planned. Despite qualifying for the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 under previous leadership, LSG failed to make an impact under Langer.
The team’s mentor, Zaheer Khan, has been handling day-to-day duties, and sources suggest the dressing room dynamics aren’t ideal. It’s possible Zaheer could take over as head coach before the 2026 season. Langer had previously mentioned that LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka told him a coach can’t be considered great without an IPL title.
Prithvi Shaw’s IPL/DC stats
MatchesRunsAVSR50sHS79189223.94147.461499LSG almost signed Prithvi Shaw as Justin Langer wanted the ‘unsold’ star at IPL 2025 Inside Sport India.
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