Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) enter their fifth IPL season with a clear mandate to move past the frustrations of 2025. After a promising start to their franchise history with consecutive 3rd-place finishes, the team spiralled to 7th in IPL 2025, largely due to an inconsistent middle order and high-profile leadership changes. The 2026 season represents an ‘all-in’ gamble by the RPSG group, spearheaded by the record-breaking ₹27.5 Crore acquisition of Rishabh Pant. Under the tactical eye of Justin Langer and the newly appointed Director of Cricket Tom Moody, Lucknow has transitioned from a stable, safety-first unit into a high-variance squad built on raw power and elite pace. While we don’t think the side has the best captain, coach Langer has done well for the Australian Test side in the past, and he is likely to assert himself on the IPL too.
- Captain: Rishabh Pant
- Head coach: Justin Langer
- Best finishes: 3rd place (2022, 2023)
- Home ground: BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- IPL 2025 result: 7th place
Lucknow Super Giants squad composition
The headline of the LSG 2026 campaign is undoubtedly Rishabh Pant. Following a difficult 2025 where he struggled for rhythm, the pressure is on the most expensive player in IPL history to justify his price tag. Pant is expected to bat at number #3, providing a left-handed counter-punch to an overseas-heavy top order consisting of Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran. Last season, this trio was statistically one of the most consistent cores in the league, but they often lacked the necessary support when the Powerplay ended.
To solve their lower-order unreliability, LSG went big on Australia’s Josh Inglis (₹8.6 Crore) and the domestic sensation Akshat Raghuwanshi (₹2.2 Crore). Inglis’s ability to manipulate the field makes him the perfect insurance policy for the late-over surges. With Pooran and Ayush Badoni already in the ranks, Lucknow arguably possesses the most explosive finishing unit in the competition, provided Pant can anchor the middle-over transition.
Bowling: Extreme pace factor
Lucknow’s bowling attack has been significantly upgraded through the trade window and the auction. The acquisition of Mohammed Shami from Gujarat Titans provides the veteran experience and Powerplay control that the team lacked last year. Shami acts as the master to the apprentice Mayank Yadav, whose extreme pace remains the team’s greatest x-factor. If both stay fit, they form the most intimidating opening bowling duo in the IPL. Shami has lost his place in the Indian side over the last year or so, and the IPL 2023 Purple Cap winner will be keen to prove himself to his new franchise, LSG.
The overseas pace department has been bolstered by Anrich Nortje, secured for a bargain ₹2 Crore. His express speed provides an alternative to Mayank during the middle overs. In the spin department, the arrival of Wanindu Hasaranga (₹2 Crore) is a major coup. Hasaranga provides the wicket-taking threat that forces batters to take risks, while Shahbaz Ahmed and Manimaran Siddharth offer the defensive control necessary for the slow, gripping tracks of Lucknow. Remember however, Hasaranga has fitness issues which we’ve seen in the past, also having to leave the 2026 T20 World Cup mid-way for Sri Lanka.
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Dark horse: Digvesh Rathi
While the international stars dominate the headlines, Digvesh Rathi is the name to watch. He impressed with 14 wickets in 13 games in IPL 2025, and has has evolved into a reliable domestic spinner who seems to like bowling the high-pressure overs. While he’s not the biggest turner of the ball, the leggie gets under the opponents’ skin on most occasions. With Justin Langer backing him to lead the spin contingency, Rathi is a genuine contender for ‘Most Wickets’ in the LSG sub-markets, which you can back on Mostbet if you fancy a punt.
Home ground advantage
The BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium is traditionally one of the slower venues in India, aiding spin and cutters. However, the 2026 pre-season reports suggest a shift toward truer batting surfaces to suit LSG’s power-hitters. This creates a fascinating betting dynamic: if the pitch is slow, back Hasaranga and Shami to dominate; if it plays true, look for ‘Total Match Sixes – Over’ given the presence of Pooran, Marsh, and Pant. For opponent teams being put in to bat, ‘Total Score – Under’ can be backed.
Analysis & betting tips
- To win the tournament: 9.00 (8/1). LSG are currently mid-range favourites. Given their batting depth and the addition of Shami, they are a strong play for a Play-off spot, especially if Pant finds his 2018-level form.
- Top batsman: Mitchell Marsh. He was in sublime form last season with 627 runs in 13 games, including a top score of 117. As a regular opener in 2026, he is the safest wager for the team’s leading run-scorer.
- Top bowler: Mohammed Shami. Shami thrives on the discipline required in the IPL. His ability to pick up wickets in the Powerplay makes him a frontrunner for the Purple Cap race.
- Back Nicholas Pooran for ‘Player of the Match’ in away games. Pooran thrives on smaller outfields and truer decks, and his strike rate makes him a favourite with the adjudicators in high-scoring chases.
Lucknow Super Giants IPL 2026 squad
Rishabh Pant (C), Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh, Mukul Choudhary, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshin Kulkarni, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Akash Singh, Naman Tiwari, Arjun Tendulkar.
Disclaimer: This squad list is accurate as of 26th March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will Rishabh Pant play as the captain of LSG in 2026? Ans. Yes, Rishabh Pant will lead the Lucknow Super Giants as captain for the 2026 season.
2. Who is the head coach and Director of Cricket for LSG? Ans. Justin Langer remains the head coach for the 2026 season, while Tom Moody has joined the franchise as the Director of Cricket.
3. Is Mohammed Shami in the Lucknow Super Giants squad? Ans. Yes, Mohammed Shami joined LSG via a trade from the Gujarat Titans and is expected to lead their pace attack this season.
4. Which team is Arjun Tendulkar in IPL 2026? Ans. After appearing for the Mumbai Indians for a couple of seasons, Arjun Tendulkar was now picked up by Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.
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