DRS Oct 24: KL Rahul-LSG chapter over, Rishabh Pant pips Virat Kohli & Shubman Gill to say bye to GT?

With each passing day, the IPL 2025 retention rumours continue to swirl around. Similarly, October 23 started with huge news on KL Rahul’s likely exit from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The day, meanwhile, ended with a possible departure of Shubman Gill from Gujarat Titans (GT). It was reported that GT wanted to retain Rashid Khan as their top pick. Also, we saw a world record being created when Zimbabwe posted a mammoth 344/4 in a T20 World Cup Qualifier game against Gambia. Apart from this, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed a pre-match press conference ahead of the second Test match between India and New Zealand in Pune. On that note, here are six of the top-most cricketing stories from October 23.

LSG to release KL Rahul

KL Rahul might not feature in Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) retention list for IPL 2025. According to TOI, LSG management, mentor Zaheer Khan, and coach Justin Langer have concerns about their captain’s batting intent and strike rate. Team analysis shows LSG often lost matches where Rahul scored runs but batted slowly. This decision follows last season’s reported verbal spat between Rahul and owner Sanjiv Goenka after a crushing loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The sources also indicate that LSG wants to retain five players: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan.

Major MS Dhoni update

CSK awaits MS Dhoni’s decision about playing in IPL 2025, with reports suggesting he’ll announce his availability on October 30, just before the IPL Retention list deadline (October 31). This comes after an earlier expected announcement date of October 28. Most importantly, Dhoni now qualifies as an uncapped player, having retired from international cricket five years ago. Despite stepping down as captain in 2024 in favour of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhoni remains the biggest figure not only in CSK but for the entire brand, which is IPL. His leadership record speaks volumes, having captained CSK in 235 matches, winning 142 and losing 90.

What about Gill & GT?

The IPL retention scenario continues to evolve regarding Gujarat Titans (GT) as well. While many expected captain Shubman Gill to be their primary retention at ₹18 Cr or more alongside Rashid Khan, RevSportz’s reports that Gill might be released. This would make Rashid Khan the team’s top retention at ₹18 Cr or higher, pending agreement between GT and him. The potential move could greatly impact the franchise as they have see a future with Gill. Gill has been outstanding for Gujarat Titans, amassing 1,799 runs at a strike rate of 147.70 in 45 innings.

Rishabh Pant’s impressive 99-run knock in the IND vs NZ 1st Test has propelled him three places to the sixth position on the latest ICC Test batting rankings. Overtaking his teammate Virat Kohli, Pant becomes the second-highest-ranked Indian batter after Yashasvi Jaiswal (4). While Kohli made 70 in the first innings, his position has dropped one place, coming down from seven to eight. Kohli is yet to score a hundred this year and would love to end the draught in the second Test in Pune.

Record-breaking Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe smashed multiple T20I cricket records on Wednesday, posting an unprecedented 344 for 4 against Gambia in the T20 World Cup Africa qualifier. Sikandar Raza led with Zimbabwe’s first-ever T20 century, scoring 133 not out off just 43 balls with 15 sixes. The team hit 27 sixes total, surpassing Nepal’s previous record of 26. Their total of 344 beat Nepal’s record of 314. Zimbabwe’s batters set additional records with 57 boundaries and four fifty-plus scores in the innings. Gambia was dismissed for 54, giving Zimbabwe one of the largest victory margins of 290 runs in T20I history.

Bengal vs Kerala Ranji match to be postponed?

Tropical cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall in Kolkata on October 24, prompting the West Bengal government to declare holidays for schools and colleges in eight districts. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are anticipated. Courtesy of this, the Cricket Association of Bengal has requested the BCCI to postpone the Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Kerala due to the impending cyclone. The West Bengal and Odisha governments are evacuating over 10 lakh people as a precautionary measure. Both Bengal and Kerala have faced weather-related issues this Ranji Trophy season. A match between Bengal and Bihar was abandoned due to rain, and Kerala’s match against Karnataka only saw 50 overs in Alur.