Lucknow Super Giants enters their fifth IPL season with renewed determination after consecutive seventh-place finishes. The franchise has undergone significant changes, bringing in key players through strategic trades and targeted auction picks.
With Rishabh Pant firmly established as captain and a blend of explosive batting talent, LSG aims to finally reach their maiden IPL final in 2026.
Discover how Lucknow Super Giants transformed their squad through smart trading and auction moves to become genuine title contenders for the 2026 IPL season.
Lucknow Super Giants 2026 Complete Squad Overview
Here is the complete list of Lucknow Super Giants 2026 squad players. By clicking on any player’s name, you can read about their detailed biography, career stats, and net worth information.
| Player Name | Role | Country | Status | Price (₹ Crores) |
| Rishabh Pant | WK-Batsman (Captain) | India | Retained | 27.00 |
| Nicholas Pooran | WK-Batsman | West Indies | Retained | 21.00 |
| Mitchell Marsh | All-Rounder | Australia | Retained | 3.40 |
| Aiden Markram | Batsman | South Africa | Retained | 2.00 |
| Ayush Badoni | Batsman | India | Retained | 4.00 |
| Abdul Samad | All-Rounder | India | Retained | 4.20 |
| Matthew Breetzke | Batsman | South Africa | Retained | 0.75 |
| Himmat Singh | Batsman | India | Retained | 0.30 |
| Arshin Kulkarni | Batsman | India | Retained | 0.30 |
| Shahbaz Ahmed | All-Rounder | India | Retained | 2.40 |
| Josh Inglis | WK-Batsman | Australia | Auction Buy | 8.60 |
| Mukul Choudhary | WK-Batsman | India | Auction Buy | 2.60 |
| Akshat Raghuwanshi | Batsman | India | Auction Buy | 2.20 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | All-Rounder | Sri Lanka | Auction Buy | 2.00 |
| Mayank Yadav | Fast Bowler | India | Retained | 11.00 |
| Avesh Khan | Fast Bowler | India | Retained | 9.75 |
| Mohsin Khan | Fast Bowler | India | Retained | 4.00 |
| Anrich Nortje | Fast Bowler | South Africa | Auction Buy | 2.00 |
| Naman Tiwari | Fast Bowler | India | Auction Buy | 1.00 |
| Mohammed Shami | Fast Bowler | India | Traded | 10.00 |
| Manimaran Siddharth | Spinner | India | Retained | 0.75 |
| Digvesh Rathi | All-Rounder | India | Retained | 0.30 |
| Prince Yadav | All-Rounder | India | Retained | 0.30 |
| Akash Singh | All-Rounder | India | Retained | 0.30 |
| Arjun Tendulkar | All-Rounder | India | Traded | 10.00 |
Squad Details:
- Total Players: 25 (18 Indians, 7 Overseas)
- Captain: Rishabh Pant
- Coach: Justin Langer
- Home Ground: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Auction Investment: ₹18.40 Crores
- IPL Finals Reached: 0 (Only team never to reach final)
LSG Captain 2026
Rishabh Pant continues as Lucknow Super Giants captain for the 2026 season after being appointed following his record ₹27 crore acquisition in 2025.
The 27-year-old Delhi wicket-keeper brings aggressive leadership style and match-winning capabilities to a franchise seeking its breakthrough season.
Pant’s Leadership Evolution: Since taking over from KL Rahul, Pant has focused on instilling fearless cricket while managing a star-studded batting lineup. His approach emphasizes attacking intent and positive body language, essential qualities for turning close matches in LSG’s favor.
Captain’s Credentials:
- Age: 27 years
- International Experience: 100+ matches across formats for India
- IPL Experience: 8 seasons, 110+ matches
- Leadership Style: Aggressive, instinctive, player-empowerment focused
- Batting Position: Opening/top-order wicket-keeper batsman
- Record: ₹27 crore investment demonstrates franchise confidence
Leadership Challenges: Pant managed only 151 runs in the first 13 matches during 2025, with form being a concern before a late century. His personal performance improvement will be crucial for team success in 2026.
Lucknow IPL Team New Players 2026
Lucknow Super Giants made six auction purchases focusing on international experience and emerging domestic talent. Their strategy balanced proven performers with value picks, complementing significant pre-auction trades.
| Player | Country | Role | Price | Strategic Value |
| Josh Inglis | Australia | WK-Batsman | ₹8.60 cr | Premium keeper-batsman despite limited availability |
| Mukul Choudhary | India | WK-Batsman | ₹2.60 cr | Domestic wicket-keeping backup option |
| Akshat Raghuwanshi | India | Batsman | ₹2.20 cr | Young batting talent from Rajasthan |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka | All-Rounder | ₹2.00 cr | Spin bowling all-rounder, mystery factor |
| Anrich Nortje | South Africa | Fast Bowler | ₹2.00 cr | Express pace specialist |
| Naman Tiwari | India | Fast Bowler | ₹1.00 cr | Promising domestic pacer |
- Controversial Investment: Josh Inglis commanded ₹8.60 crores despite being available for only four matches due to international duties and wedding commitments. This investment reflects LSG’s faith in his match-winning abilities during limited appearances.
- Value Acquisitions: Wanindu Hasaranga and Anrich Nortje were both secured at base price of ₹2 crores each, representing excellent value for experienced international performers.
- Major Pre-Auction Trades: LSG remained proactive in the trade window, successfully acquiring Mohammed Shami from SRH and Arjun Tendulkar from MI. These moves addressed bowling leadership and added all-round depth.
LSG Retained Players 2026
Lucknow retained 19 players before the auction, maintaining their explosive batting core while preserving squad chemistry built over previous seasons. The retention strategy prioritized proven IPL performers.
Star Retention Decisions:
- Nicholas Pooran (₹21 crores) – The explosive finisher retained for his middle-order mayhem and wicket-keeping backup
- Mayank Yadav (₹11 crores) – Earned retention for raw pace potential
- Avesh Khan (₹9.75 crores) – Reliable Indian pace option
- Mitchell Marsh (₹3.40 crores) – Australian all-rounder providing balance
Core Indian Contingent: Players like Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad represent LSG’s investment in young Indian talent, while experienced campaigners provide stability and leadership depth.
Overseas Balance: The retained overseas group provides tactical flexibility across batting and bowling departments, essential for different match situations and opposition analyses.
Lucknow Franchise Released Players 2026
Major releases included David Miller, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur (traded), Akash Deep, and Shamar Joseph. These strategic departures created auction budget while making room for targeted improvements.
Significant Departures:
- David Miller – South African finisher released to make room for Josh Inglis
- Ravi Bishnoi – Indian leg-spinner moved to Rajasthan Royals for ₹7.2 crores
- Shardul Thakur – All-rounder traded to Mumbai Indians for Arjun Tendulkar
Release Strategy Logic: The franchise prioritized creating budget flexibility for premium acquisitions while addressing specific skill gaps through targeted replacements. Each release served a tactical purpose in squad restructuring.
LSG Playing 11 2026
The Lucknow cricket team possesses exceptional batting depth with multiple overseas combinations available. Their squad construction allows adaptation based on pitch conditions and strategic requirements.
Probable Starting XI:
- Mitchell Marsh – Australian all-rounder, explosive opener
- Aiden Markram – South African captain, consistent top-order anchor
- Rishabh Pant – Captain, dynamic wicket-keeper batsman
- Nicholas Pooran – West Indian power-hitter, finishing specialist
- Ayush Badoni – Young Indian talent, middle-order stability
- Abdul Samad – Kashmiri all-rounder, big-hitting capability
- Shahbaz Ahmed – Left-arm spinner, valuable all-round option
- Mayank Yadav – Express Indian pacer, 150+ kmph potential
- Mohammed Shami – Veteran swing bowler, new ball specialist
- Avesh Khan – Reliable Indian seamer, death bowling option
- Wanindu Hasaranga – Sri Lankan leg-spinner, mystery bowling
Alternative Combinations: Josh Inglis can slot in when available, providing additional wicket-keeping options. Anrich Nortje offers pace variety for specific conditions, while multiple Indian all-rounders create tactical flexibility.
Lucknow Cricket Team Home Ground
Ekana Cricket Stadium Advantages:
- Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Capacity: 50,000
- Pitch Characteristics: Generally batting-friendly with even bounce
- Home Support: Growing fan base with Bhojpuri cultural connection
The venue couldn’t host matches during LSG’s debut 2022 season due to COVID restrictions, but has since become a fortress for the franchise.
The stadium’s modern facilities and enthusiastic local support create excellent home advantage.
Lucknow IPL Franchise Historical Performance
| Season | Captain | Wins | Losses | Position | Playoff Result |
| 2022 | KL Rahul | 9 | 5 | 3rd Place | Lost Eliminator to RCB |
| 2023 | KL Rahul | 10 | 4 | 3rd Place | Lost Eliminator to MI |
| 2024 | KL Rahul | 7 | 7 | 7th Place | Missed playoffs |
| 2025 | Rishabh Pant | 6 | 8 | 7th Place | Missed playoffs |
LSG is currently the only active IPL team that has not reached an IPL final, making 2026 crucial for establishing championship credentials. The franchise has qualified for playoffs twice but struggled to convert opportunities.
Why LSG Can Win IPL 2026
Lucknow Cricket Team Advantages:
- Exceptional batting firepower throughout the order
- Multiple wicket-keeping options providing tactical flexibility
- Strong pace bowling led by Mohammed Shami and Mayank Yadav
- Balanced overseas-Indian player ratio
- Home advantage at batting-friendly Ekana Stadium
Key Improvements for 2026:
- Mohammed Shami brings championship experience and swing bowling mastery
- Josh Inglis provides match-winning capability during available matches
- Wanindu Hasaranga adds spin bowling depth and mystery factor
- Young talent like Akshat Raghuwanshi offers future potential
Competitive Edge Analysis: Unlike teams dependent on few stars, LSG possesses batting depth extending through position eight. Their investment in proven performers contrasts with franchises prioritizing budget management over quality acquisition.
FAQs
Who is LSG captain 2026?
Rishabh Pant continues as Lucknow Super Giants captain for 2026. The 27-year-old wicket-keeper leads after his record ₹27 crore acquisition in 2025.
Who are Lucknow franchise new players 2026?
LSG’s new signings include Josh Inglis (₹8.60cr), Mukul Choudhary, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Anrich Nortje, and Naman Tiwari through auction, plus Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar via trades.
How much did Lucknow cricket team spend in auction 2026?
Lucknow Super Giants spent ₹18.40 crores at the auction, with Josh Inglis being their most expensive purchase despite limited availability.
Who is Lucknow Super Giants owner?
RPSG Group, led by RP Sanjiv Goenka, owns the Lucknow franchise after acquiring the team for record ₹7,090 crores in 2022.
What is LSG home ground?
Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow serves as LSG’s home venue, featuring 50,000 capacity and modern facilities.
Has Lucknow IPL team ever reached a final?
No, Lucknow Super Giants is the only current IPL franchise that has never reached an IPL final, despite playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023.
Who is Lucknow cricket team coach 2026?
Justin Langer continues as head coach, supported by mentor Zaheer Khan for strategic guidance and development.
Which players did the Lucknow franchise retain?
LSG retained 19 players including Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Mayank Yadav, and Avesh Khan among others.
What is Lucknow IPL squad 2026?
The Lucknow cricket team features 25 players with 18 Indians and 7 overseas cricketers, creating exceptional batting depth.
Who are LSG released players 2026?
Major releases include David Miller, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur (traded), Akash Deep, and Shamar Joseph to create auction flexibility.
What is Lucknow Super Giants jersey color?
The Lucknow cricket team wears sky blue and orange colored jerseys representing the franchise’s vibrant identity.
When does IPL 2026 season commence?
The Indian Premier League 2026 begins on March 26, with LSG hoping to finally reach their maiden IPL final.
Why did LSG buy Josh Inglis for ₹8.60 crores despite limited availability?
Lucknow valued Inglis’s match-winning ability and wicket-keeping skills, betting that his impact during available matches justifies the investment.
Who is LSG wicket-keeper for 2026?
The franchise has multiple options including Rishabh Pant (captain), Nicholas Pooran, Josh Inglis (limited availability), and Mukul Choudhary.
What makes Lucknow Super Giants competitive?
LSG’s strength lies in exceptional batting depth, multiple finishing options, quality pace bowling, and tactical flexibility through diverse player combinations.
