LSG's IPL auction 2026 top targets and predicted buys

Rishabh Pant's LSG finished 7th in IPL 2025 [Source: IPL/X.com]

Following a disappointing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign, finishing at number 7 on the points table, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have let go of a couple of members from their core group, like Ravi Bishnoi and David Miller, as they look for a change and revitalise ahead of the upcoming season.

The mini-auction on December 16 will serve as a great opportunity for them to fix up their mistakes from the last season and add quality to their depth, after how they suffered with injuries to their main bowlers in 2025.

Here's a comprehensive tactical breakdown of LSG's strategy as they head into the auction room for IPL 2026.

LSG retention list for IPL 2026

Role distribution of LSG's retained players

• Top order batters: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Risahbh Pant (wk), Arshin Kulkarni.
• Middle order batters: Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh, Ayush Badoni.
• Lower-middle order batters: Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad.
• Pacers: Mohammed Shami, Arjun Tendulkar, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav.
• Spinners: Digvesh Rathi, M Siddharth.

LSG IPL 2026 auction budget and overseas slots

The Super Giants have a room for four overseas players in their squad out of the total six. They will go into the auction room with a sum of Rs. 22.95 crore to spend.

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LSG IPL 2026 IPL squad: What are the gaps to fill?

How LSG's expected XI looks like

Mitchell Marsh
Aiden Markram
Nicholas Pooran
Rishabh Pant (c) (wk)
Ayush Badoni
Abdul Samad
TBD
TBD
Mohammed Shami
Mayank Yadav
Digvesh Rathi
Mohsin Khan/Avesh Khan
TBD- Players who will be picked from the auction

In their first season after the mega auction, LSG showed how impactful their top-3 can be on their days, led by the powerful overseas batters, who all had a good start to the season in 2025, before a dip in form saw them lose a lot of games on a trot. Captain Rishabh Pant's form was a cause of concern for them, but the top-4 is expected to be the same as it was.

Ayush Badoni, who has been a part of the franchise since its inception, has also only grown in stature and did well in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, amidst Delhi's forgettable tournament. He is also a sure-shot starter at 5, followed by Abdul Samad, who will have to lead them in the back-end with his power after David Miller was released in the auction.

Their bowling unit is dominated by the Indian players, who are promising but also injury-prone. One of the reasons for their poor form last season was the absence of their first-choice bowlers, like Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan out injured. The duo is likely to be back alongside Mohammed Shami and Digvesh Rathi to complete the bowling attack.

Areas to address for LSG in IPL mini auction

Quality spin-bowling option (preferably wrist-spinner)

• Ravi Bishnoi, who was their mainstay and the leading wicket-taker from 2022-2025, with 48 scalps in 53 innings, is out in the auction after an underwhelming season of 2025, where he picked only 9 wickets and conceded at almost 11 runs per over. Replacing him or getting him back will be their prime objective from the auction.
• After Bishnoi's release, they are left with Shahbaz Ahmed and Ayush Badoni as the fall-back options, who are not the typical x-factor bowlers a captain would go to in precarious situations.

Impactful finisher

(LSG batters' numbers in 16-20 overs in IPL 2025)

• Following the release of David Miller, LSG would look to target a number 6/7 batter, who can bat alongside and potentially guide Abdul Samad in the death overs to post strong totals/chase targets.
• They had to rely on Pooran, whose form in the second half of the season was a concern, which can happen again. Hence, the need for a bona fide finisher.

Backup Indian middle-order batter

• Considering Mitchell Marsh's fitness concerns in mind and to have a room to make changes in the batting order, an additional Indian middle order can open several opportunities for them.
• Availability of a strong middle-order batter can free up Pant, who can potentially go higher up the order, where he is at his best. 
• Quality in the middle-order depth will also mean that there will be healthy competition for spots in the squad.

Left-handed overseas pacer (optional)

• They only have an injury-prone Mohsin Khan as a prime left-arm quick, alongside a rather inexperienced Arjun Tendulkar in the squad.
• The Super Giants have three sure-shot overseas starters at the top of the batting order, alongside a solid Indian bowling unit, leaving close to no room for an overseas fast bowler to be included in the mix.
• However, if and when they wish to try out different combinations, a couple of overseas bowlers can help them make a tweak.

LSG IPL 2026 auction prime targets: Whom the Super Giants are likely to go after?

Wanindu Hasaranga

• A proven T20 cricket performer with over 330 wickets in the format, and can mix up with his variations in the middle overs to serve as a perfect replacement for Ravi Bishnoi.
• Additionally, the T20 batting strike rate of 142.53, with close to 2500 runs, he is a viable option in the lower-middle order for them.
• His previous stints with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad will boost the experience in the spin department alongside Digvesh Rathi.

Manisankar Murasingh

• With a wealth of domestic experience under his belt, Manisankar Murasingh could potentially turn out as the story of this season's IPL.
• Having played 80 T20s, while also captaining Tripura, Murasingh has scored close to 1300 runs at a healthy strike rate of 142.73 and picked 65 wickets at an economy rate of 7.43.
• Heading into the auction, he concluded this SMAT season with the scores reading- 56(32), 40(17), 42(21), 25*(18), 33(23), 12(15) and 69(35) and picked 6 wickets.

Prashant Veer

• A local Uttar Pradesh talent, who is familiar with the Lucknow conditions and has been a performer in the UP T20 League, where he scored 320 runs at a strike rate of 155.34 for Noida Super Kings in 2025.
• His all round prowess adds the slow left arm option in the bowling attack — a role currently being played by Shahbaz Ahmed.
• In his short career, he has a T20 strike rate of 167.16, with several impactful knocks for UP in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He also finished as a runner-up with them in the Men's U23 State A Trophy, where he scored 376 runs in 7 innings, averaging 94 and boasting a strike rate of 128.76.
• At 20, he can be roped in as a long-term prospect to bat with Badoni and Samad.

Ben Dwarshuis

• Proven overseas fast bowling option, who could provide a cover to the injury-prone Mohsin Khan and can score runs in times of need. Additionally, he has a lower price point than most other top bowlers, listing himself at Rs. 1 crore INR.
• In 174 T20 matches, he has an impressive economy rate of 8.34, picking 218 wickets at an average of 23.39.
• In case LSG wants to include him in their regular XI, he can turn out to be a handy option at 8, considering his 142.55 strike rate for 1139 runs.

Other potential targets for LSG

Jason Behrendorff (experienced fall-back plan), Suyash Prabhudessai (good SMAT 2025 season in MO), Maheesh Theekshana, Ravi Bishnoi (at a lower price).

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