Lucknow Super Giants face a giant hurdle in their attempt to make it to their first IPL title. The side, led by IPL’s most expensive buy thus far, Rishabh Pant, failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing 7th on the points table with just 6 wins from 14 matches. LSG still have troubles in their backyard despite having the opportunity to rebuild the squad at the IPL 2026 auction. Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, let’s take a look at three weaknesses of LSG.
3 Weaknesses of LSG ahead of IPL 2026
Limited spin depth
The spin department of the LSG squad is a potential weakness ahead of the upcoming season. Although the side boasts of a world-class player in Wanindu Hasaranga, who provides wicket-taking ability in the middle overs, the team overall lacks an experienced backup spin option, especially given the turning pitches IPL sometimes have on offer. Hasaranga is struggling with his fitness and was ruled out midway through the T20 World Cup. They also released Ravi Bishnoi ahead of the mini-auction. Digvesh Rathi, who had a breakthrough season in IPL 2025, finishing with 14 wickets in 13 matches, still lacks international experience.
Injury-prone pace attack
On paper, Lucknow Super Giants have the best pace attack. But 90% of them are injury-prone. Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan are recovering from injuries. Mayank Yadav has had a long history of injuries at a young age. They have brought in Anrich Nortje and Mohammed Shami, both of whom are also injury-prone. Shami hasn’t found success in T20s since his ankle surgery following 2023 World Cup. And he has also struggled with injuries since.
If even one or two key bowlers are unavailable, LSG’s bowling balance could be affected significantly. In IPL 2025, the Lucknow-based franchise struggled with their pace bowlers’ fitness, with Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, and Mayank Yadav all missing out on a majority of matches
Tough choice to pick four overseas options in Playing XI
While the Lucknow side has a strong squad on paper after some key buys in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, they will struggle to find the best playing XIs from their overseas pool with just four players allowed in the XI. Aiden Markam and Mitchell Marsh will be the guaranteed starters. But Marsh has struggled for form. Nicholas Pooran is another sure-shot starter. Josh Inglis has been roped in as a cover but he is likely to miss some games due to his wedding.
Also, only one between Hasaranga and Nortje could play as they will have three overseas batting options in the XI. Without Hasaranga, LSG’s spin department will be shallow. And if the Indian pacers suffer injuries, they will have no choice but to field Nortje.
Lucknow Super Giants IPL 2026 Squad
- Batters: Rishabh Pant (C), Aiden Markram, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Mukul Choudhary, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran
- All-rounders: Mitchell Marsh, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahamad, Arshin Kulkarni, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ayush Badoni
- Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Avesh Khan, M. Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, Arjun Tendulkar, Anrich Nortje, Naman Tiwari, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan
Predicted LSG Playing XI for IPL 2026
Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Wanindu Hasaranga, Digvesh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Mohd Shami, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Impact Sub: Ayush Badoni
Cricket
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