After finishing 7th in 2025, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered the 2026 auction with a clear objective: aggressive stability. Under the new leadership of Rishabh Pant and the strategic eye of coach Justin Langer, LSG has undergone a significant transformation.
Let’s dive into the LSG IPL 2026 squad details featuring big buys like Hasaranga and the strategic trade of Mohammad Shami to bolster the pace attack.
The Official Squad Breakdown
| Batters & Wicket-Keepers | All-Rounders | Bowlers |
| Rishabh Pant (C/WK) | Nicholas Pooran (WK) | Mayank Yadav |
| Aiden Markram ✈️ | Mitchell Marsh ✈️ | Mohammed Shami (Traded) |
| Abdul Samad | Shahbaz Ahmed | Avesh Khan |
| Ayush Badoni | Arshin Kulkarni | Mohsin Khan |
| Josh Inglis (WK) ✈️ | Wanindu Hasaranga ✈️ | Anrich Nortje ✈️ |
| Matthew Breetzke ✈️ | Akshat Raghuwanshi | Manimaran Siddharth |
| Himmat Singh | Arjun Tendulkar (Traded) | Akash Singh |
| Mukul Choudhary (WK) | Prince Yadav | Naman Tiwari |
| Digvesh Rathi |
The “New Faces” & Strategic Moves
LSG was one of the busiest teams in the trade window, focusing on veteran Indian leadership and overseas pace.
- The Steal of the Auction: Wanindu Hasaranga (₹2 Cr). In a shocking lack of bidding from other teams, LSG secured the Sri Lankan wizard at base price to replace Ravi Bishnoi.
- The Express Pace Duo: LSG paired their homegrown sensation Mayank Yadav with Anrich Nortje (₹2 Cr), creating perhaps the fastest bowling pair in IPL history.
- The Trade Masterclass: They brought in Mohammed Shami (from SRH) to lead the attack and Arjun Tendulkar (from MI) as a developmental left-arm option.
- The Power Purchase: Josh Inglis (₹8.6 Cr). While expensive, Inglis provides elite insurance for Rishabh Pant and can play as a specialist batter.
- Uncapped Talent: Mukul Choudhary (₹2.6 Cr) and Akshat Raghuwanshi (₹2.2 Cr) were targeted specifically to bolster the local batting depth.
Probable XI & Impact Strategy
This XI is designed to “out-pace” opponents on the bouncy tracks and “out-spin” them at the Ekana.
- Mitchell Marsh ✈️
- Rishabh Pant (C/WK)
- Nicholas Pooran ✈️
- Aiden Markram ✈️
- Ayush Badoni
- Abdul Samad / Akshat Raghuwanshi
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Wanindu Hasaranga ✈️
- Mohammed Shami
- Avesh Khan / Mohsin Khan
- Mayank Yadav
Impact Player Strategy:
- The Speed Demon: If bowling second, Anrich Nortje ✈️ can come in for a batter to form a three-man pace battery (Shami, Yadav, Nortje) that consistently clocks 150kmph+.
- Local Spin: M. Siddharth is the go-to sub for the spinning tracks of Lucknow.
Analysis: The Highs, Lows, and Gaps
What they got right: The Velocity Factor – No team in IPL 2026 can match LSG’s raw speed. Between Shami’s seam, Mayank’s fire, and Nortje’s thunderbolts, they have the tools to intimidate any batting lineup. The addition of Hasaranga at base price is a generational bargain that keeps their middle-overs wicket-taking ability elite.
The Gaps They Forgot to Plug: The Finisher’s Burden – The middle order is incredibly top-heavy with Pant, Pooran, and Marsh. If these three fall early, there is immense pressure on Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad—two players who have shown flashes of brilliance but lack sustained consistency as “closers.”
The X-Factor: Mayank Yadav – Returning from injury concerns in 2025, Mayank remains the heartbeat of this team. If he stays fit and bowls in tandem with Shami and Nortje, LSG’s bowling will be impossible to navigate.
The Final Verdict
The 2026 Lucknow Super Giants are no longer just a “new team”; they are a powerhouse built in the image of Zaheer Khan’s bowling philosophy. They have sacrificed some batting depth for world-class bowling. If Pant and Pooran have a career-best season, LSG will be the team to beat for the title.
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