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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered the IPL 2026 Retentions with a focus on maintaining the core that powered their competitive performances in IPL 2025. Their retention decisions reveal a growth-oriented approach, aiming to balance experienced batting line with exciting young bowling unit.
LSG retain core players to anchor the team
LSG retained captain Rishabh Pant as he continues to be the linchpin of their batting and wicketkeeping unit. Other key retentions include young Indian quicks Avesh Khan and Mayank Yadav, batting all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, and wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran. These players provide a blend of seasoned experience and promising youthful potential, laying a firm foundation for the team around which they plan to build.
LSG released several players including experienced bowlers and overseas stars to create space for new recruitment. Notably, they acquired seasoned Indian pacer Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad via trade, aiming to bolster their pace attack. The releases indicate a strategic pivot focusing on strengthening bowling depth and all-round options to complement their powerful batting line-up.
LSG’s plan for IPL 2026 auction
The franchise retains a substantial purse and a few remaining squad slots, enabling them to pursue key targets aggressively in the IPL 2026 auction. With a balanced squad, LSG seeks to fill role-specific gaps, especially in spin bowling and middle-order stability, areas identified for improvement during IPL 2025.
The retention pattern shows LSG’s commitment to continuity and growth, valuing players who have contributed significantly while remaining open to tactical reinforcements. This approach positions them well to mount a serious title challenge in the forthcoming IPL season.
Lucknow Super Giants: Retention, Release, Trade and Purse
Players released: Aryan Juyal, David Miller, Shamar Joseph, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Akash Deep, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur (traded to Mumbai Indians)
Players retained: Abdul Samad, Aiden Markram, Akash Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Avesh Khan, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh, Manimaran Siddharth, Matthew Breetzke, Mayank Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Mohsin Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Prince Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arjun Tendulkar (traded in from Mumbai Indians) Mohammed Shami (traded in from Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Purse remaining: INR 22.95 cr
Slots remaining: 6 (4 overseas)
