The Lucknow Super Giants have performed admirably for a team that has only participated in three IPL seasons thus far, making two playoff appearances in the most recent cycle. However, following their disappointing seventh-place result in 2024, LSG had to recruit a new leader after splitting from former captain KL Rahul. For a staggering INR 27 crore, Rishabh Pant joined the LSG and became the most expensive player in the IPL. The coaching staff was also altered when Zaheer Khan was brought in as the team's mentor.
Prior to the auction, LSG decided to keep five players, including Nicholas Pooran (INR 21 Crore), Indian players Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav (INR 11 Crore each), and Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni (INR 11 Crore each). With the addition of Akash Deep, they were able to bolster their Indian fast bowling outfit and bring back Avesh Khan. The attack is prone to injury even though pace is promised because LSG is already concerned about Mayank, Mohsin, and Avesh's health.
The hard-hitting David Miller, Mitchell Marsh, and Matthew Breetzke have been added to LSG's international roster to bolster their batting lineup, which waned in the middle of the previous campaign. Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa's T20I team, has also joined them after Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis left. Under Pant, the Lucknow-based team will have an opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of running another successful campaign in a new era.
Full Squad:
Aryan Juyal, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Ayush Badoni, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Manimaran Siddarth Digvesh Singh, Akash Singh, Shamar Joseph, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Ravi Bishnoi
The best XII as things stand:
Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Akash Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Deep, Manimaran Siddarth, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and Rishabh Pant (c & wk)
Injury/Availability Concerns:
This season, the Super Giants are heavily depending on their homegrown players to perform well while the ball is in their possession. However, Mayank, Mohsin, and Avesh—the three main members of their fast-bowling attack—are currently fighting for time to be ready for their IPL opener. Mohsin has only participated in three Twenty20 Internationals and seven List-A matches since the IPL last year, and Mayank hasn't played since October 2024 following the three Twenty20 Internationals against Bangladesh.
To make matters worse, Mitchell Marsh, an all-rounder from Australia, has just returned from a back injury that prevented him from competing in the most recent Champions Trophy. His fitness and ability to play all 14 league games while assuming the role of an all-rounder will be closely monitored.
The player with a point to prove is:
Rishabh Pant: Being the most costly player in the IPL is not something to take lightly. Despite being in both squads, Pant did not play in the Champions Trophy, which was just finished, or the five-match T20I series against England in January. He will get an opportunity to demonstrate to the Indian selectors that he is still a valuable member of the T20 league.
A player who could have a breakout season?
Akash Deep: After he rose to prominence in the Indian squad, LSG paid INR 8 crore to get the fast bowler. Due to injury worries with the aforementioned pace three, the fast bowler, who has only played eight games since making his IPL debut in 2022, may be a staple with LSG.
Fixture build-up and run-in...
LSG will play two away games to start the season: first against the Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam, followed by a quick trip to Hyderabad to play the Sunrisers Hyderabad. They will play five of their seven planned home games during the month of April, including their first home game on April 1. LSG has a balanced travel plan this season because the IPL is recognized for being a demanding travel schedule. They only have a maximum of two away games in a row before playing an equal number of games at home.
A home ground stat to watchout for this season
165: Since its debut on the IPL circuit in 2023, the Ekana stadium has had the lowest average first-innings total of any IPL venue. It will be interesting to watch if the Lucknow tracks will be as easy to bat on as the other locations in this impact subera when batters take long-levers from ball one.