IPL 2026 Auction: Top players Lucknow Super Giants should target to strengthen their squad
LSG find themselves at a delicate stage of squad building as they head into the IPL 2026 auction with a purse worth Rs 22.95 million. The simultaneous release of David Miller and Ravi Bishnoi left visible gaps; one in the finishing section and the other in the spin. Although finishing seventh in 2025 indicates failure, this team is not a broken team. It is a side with very high ceilings but a fragile structure.
Best order carrying the season
If there’s a consistent positive for LSG in 2025, it’s in the top three. Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran formed one of the league’s most productive top lines.
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Markram scored 445 runs at a strike rate of close to 150 and provided a useful off-spin. Marsh had his most effective IPL season, passing 600 runs at a strike rate of 163. Despite his move away from international cricket, Pooran remains one of the most devastating T20 batsmen and has scored nearly 500 runs at a strike rate approaching 200.
Match after match, this trio took the brunt of the work. The problem was what happened after the ball passed them.
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LSG’s top priority at auction
Rishabh Pant’s arrival was aimed at deepening LSG’s batting and increasing their lead through the middle. Instead, he had the worst IPL season of his career. His 269 runs at a strike rate of 133 is misleading and largely inflated by his 118 in a non-final match against RCB. For most of the season, Pant appeared to be lacking in rhythm, confidence and clarity.
David Miller, signed as a specialist finisher, also failed to deliver consistently. With Miller released and Pant unreliable, the middle order often collapsed under pressure. Ayush Badoni showed quick moves but lacked consistency; Abdul Samad, on the other hand, continues to learn situational shooting at this level.
This explains why LSG’s top priority in the auction is clear: two middle-order batsmen. Ideally, they need an overseas power hitter and an Indian equaliser. While Liam Livingstone emerges as the best candidate available, Abhinav Manohar could be a domestic option for the lower mid-order.
Rotation reconstruction
Ravi Bishnoi’s release shocked the league. Young, proven Indian leg-spinners are among the most valuable assets in the IPL and his release leaves LSG facing a huge void.
Digvesh Rathi has shown promise in his debut season but cannot be expected to lead the spin attack on his own. Markram can offer part-time off-spin but LSG still need a frontline partner.
The options are diverse but not simple. Wanindu Hasaranga offers match-winning ability and depth with the bat. Rahul Chahar provides control and experience. Michael Bracewell or Sikandar Raza will add flexibility by offering batting support with rotation. The decision will shape how LSG balance the XI.
Bowling remains LSG’s biggest concern
Bowling remains LSG’s biggest concern. They finished 2025 with the worst power play economy, the worst middling economy, and the fourth-worst kill economy in the league. They also ranked near the bottom for wickets taken with both the new ball and mid-over over.
Despite these figures, the core remains largely unchanged.
Mohammad Shami was traded and experience and control were brought to the fore. However, at this stage of his career, his 14-game option cannot be assumed to be guaranteed. The re-detention of Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan is an indication of this belief but also of risk. Both have struggled with injuries for two consecutive seasons. Prince Yadav, Akash Singh and Siddharth M remain depth options rather than upgrades.
LSG is effectively betting on fitness returns rather than supplements. It’s a high-risk gamble that could define their season.
At a crossroads
Lucknow Super Giants enter the IPL 2026 auction with a strong over-order, a big purse and a few unanswered questions. Their ceiling remains elite, but their margin of error is slim. Whether the next round of big decisions will finally bring balance or lead to another season of near misses will depend on how wisely they spend in this auction.
