With just six foreign players on its squad, LSG’s management may face difficulties.
The seventh. After winning three of their first four IPL 2024 games, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were unable to win more than two straight games. Of the four teams that finished with 14 points, they had the lowest net run-rate (-0.667), and the top four qualified for the playoffs.
KL Rahul, who had guided LSG to two playoffs in 2022 and 2023—their first two IPL seasons—was let go prior to the most recent mega auction. After being acquired for a record IPL auction price of INR 27 crore, Rishabh Pant was named captain. In Visakhapatnam, LSG will play their first IPL 2025 matchup against Pant’s old squad, the Delhi Capitals (DC).
In addition to Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni, who have been retained, newcomers Aiden Markram and Shahbaz Ahmed are competing for middle-order slots. The finishing possibilities are Abdul Samad and David Miller, both recent selections. As a backup opener, LSG also has Matthew Breetzke, who made his ODI debut and hit 150 for South Africa. The ideal opener might be Mitchell Marsh, who has been cleared to participate in the 2025 Indian Premier League as a batter exclusively. However, that might leave LSG lacking a spare bowler or all-rounder.
The bowling attack has a strong Indian influence. Although they are all recuperating from injuries, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan (both retained), Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep were supposed to handle fast-bowling duties. That might not instill too much terror in the opponents, but it might propel Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Akash Singh, and Prince Yadav—who leads Delhi in wicket-taking in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy—to the forefront. The only bowler left who is guaranteed to start is Ravi Bishnoi, who was retained.
With just six foreign players—the fewest of any team—LSG is one of two teams with this status; the other is the Rajasthan Royals. The staff, which includes new coach Zaheer Khan, will have work to do.
Likely best XII
* denotes overseas player
If Marsh or Markram are favored, Yuvraj Chaudhary and Arshin Kulkarni are the alternative opening choices. Kulkarni was Maharashtra’s top run scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 and opened for LSG in the two games he played the previous season. Chaudhary, who averaged 80.5 and hit at 192.80, made a big impression at the top of the order in the Uttarakhand Premier League 2024. Chaudhary scored 234 runs at a strike rate of 168.34, including a century, to become Uttarakhand’s top run scorer at the SMAT. Chaudhary’s left-arm spin and Kulkarni’s medium pace both provide some bowling as well.
The absence of Mayank, Mohsin, and Avesh, their fast-bowling core, could hinder LSG (at least for some portions of the tournament). Their bowling becomes weak as a result. Additionally, it suggests that Lucknow’s surfaces are probably spin-friendly.
LSG would have preferred Marsh’s overall balance. However, as he is recuperating from a back injury, he has been cleared to play as a batter only and might be their key player. Also a little brittle is LSG’s first-choice bowling attack. Mohsin sustained an ACL injury during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Due to a back ailment, Mayank will not play in the first half of the 2025 Indian Premier League. Avesh had a knee ailment and is getting well. After missing the New Year’s Test in Australia due to a back injury, Akash Deep is currently recuperating.
Shardul Thakur and Shivam Mavi have been at the LSG training camp, but are yet to be drafted in officially as injury replacements.
