Lucknow Super Giants have a tall task in hand to find a balance between their batting and bowling unit in the IPL 2026 auction. While their batting unit barring Rishabh Pant fared decently in IPL 2025, it was the bowling department that troubled LSG the most, given the injuries and the inconsistencies. LSG have released 7 players before the mini-auction, including Akash Deep, David Miller, Rajvardhan Hangrekar, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Shamar Joseph, Aryan Juyal and Ravi Bishnoi. Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, let’s take a look at some of the players that LSG could target in the mini-auction.
Players LSG should eye at IPL 2026 auction
First and foremost, LSG need to reinforce their bowling department. While they have managed to secure Mohammed Shami’s services via trade from SRH, the team still needs reliable pacers. After all, Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan are injury prone and hence can’t be depended on. In place of Shamar Joseph, LSG can try and rope in Pathirana, who has been one of CSK’s frontline pacers in the past. Unlike Joseph, he can take part in most games (if fit) and can come of good use for the franchise. An uncapped Indian bowling option who could serve as replacement for Yuvraj will be Simarjeet.
| Player(s) | Type |
| Andre Russell / Glenn Maxwell / Wiaan Mulder | Overseas all-rounders |
| Venkatesh Iyer | Indian all-rounder |
| Adam Zampa | Overseas spinner |
| Ravi Bishnoi / Rahul Chahar | Indian spinners |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Overseas pacer |
| Simarjeet Singh | Indian uncapped pacer |
Next, LSG will have to focus on their spin department. While Digvesh Rathi emerged as a standout performer in IPL 2025, his performances with the ball were not so impressive in the DPL 2025 that followed. Above all, LSG have released their most experienced spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Now LSG have two options. They can either buy back Bishnoi for a lesser price at the IPL 2026 mini-auction or could look at Rahul Chahar as his ideal replacement in the side. Since LSG lack an overseas spinner, they could also eye Adam Zampa, who can work very well with head coach Justin Langer.
Coming to the middle-order, LSG need some power hitters, at leasst one, since they have released Miller. The options are Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell and Wiaan Mulder. All three of them not only possess the ability to be destructive as finishers but can also contribute effectively with the ball.
Should LSG prefer an Indian all-rounder who can act as a good number 4 batter, then Venkatesh Iyer could be an ideal option. Despite a poor season in IPL 2025, the MP batter has often showcased his ability with the bat in the previous seasons and could very well turn out to be a MVP for Rishabh Pant and co. However, LSG cannot afford to spend rs 23.75 crore on the southpaw and should try and get him at a much cheaper rate, should they even think of bidding for him.
LSG squad before IPL 2026 auction
Abdul Samad, *Aiden Markram, Akash Singh, Arjun Tendulkar (T), Arshin Kulkarni, Avesh Khan, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh, Manimaran Siddharth, *Matthew Breetzke, Mayank Yadav, Md Shami (T), *Mitchell Marsh, Mohsin Khan, *Nicholas Pooran, Prince Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shahbaz Ahmed
Retained: 19
Purse remaining: Rs 22.95 crore
