LSG's strongest playing XI for IPL 2026

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are yet to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) title and would want to lift the trophy in 2026.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) season auction wrapped up in Abu Dhabi with a big price tag attached to most of the players on offer, which was a combined spend of a massive Rs 215.45 crores.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered the auction with a purse of just ₹22.95 crores, having already spent a significant amount – ₹102.5 crores on player retentions and trades.

Sanjiv Goenka’s Super Giants had an underwhelming season last year that left them well down the points table, and they knew they had to do something about it and so they made a few savvy calls.

They took a fairly safe approach by deciding to hold onto 17 of their existing players, but also made some shrewd decisions by trading for Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar in a pre-auction trade.

In the lead-up to the auction, the LSG also let players like David Miller, Ravi Bishnoi and Akash Deep go and also traded Shardul Thakur to the Mumbai Indians (MI)

LSG’s pick in the mini-auction

LSG’s strategy in the mini auction was mainly about balance between immediate impact and long-term planning.

Their biggest investment was Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who they acquired for ₹8.6 crore despite his limited availability for the upcoming season, which is a clear indication that LSG are thinking about the future.

LSG also added bowling attack and added depth. They picked up South African pace sensation Anrich Nortje and Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga.

To add depth and youth to the squad, they acquired uncapped domestic talent Mukul Choudhary, Akshat Raghuwanshi and Naman Tiwari.

LSG’s playing XI for IPL 2026

LSG managed to qualify for the IPL playoffs in their first two seasons but then struggled in the next couple of years and ended up at the bottom half of the points table. With the new additions on board, the team will be hoping to turn their season around and get back to winning ways.

The opening partnership is probably going to see South African captain Aiden Markram opening alongside Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.

Next up is West Indian explosive batsman Nicholas Pooran who will be looking to carry on that explosive form at No. 3, before Rishabh Pant, the captain and wicketkeeper, comes in at No. 4.

The middle order will be a familiar combination with Ayush Badoni likely to bat at No. 5, alongside Abdul Samad at No. 6 with both more than capable of snatching the game away from the opposition with a few well timed shots.

Wanindu Hasaranga who they picked up in the auction could slot in at No. 7, as he provides the team with a player who can both hit big down the order and also chip in with some quality leg-spin bowling.

The bowlers – and what a bowling attack it is – will be led by the young, up-and-coming Mayank Yadav along with the experienced Mohammed Shami who they got via trade.

Rounding out the pace attack is Avesh Khan, the right-arm pacer and leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi completes the spin unit.

As for the Impact Player options for LSG, there’s Josh Inglis as soon as he’s available, plus Mukul Choudhary and Akshat Raghuwanshi.

Strongest Playing XI of Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2026:

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (captain and wk), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mayank Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Digvesh Rathi, Avesh Khan.

Impact player: Josh Inglis / Akshat Raghuwanshi

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