Mayank Yadav’s spot under scanner: Key decisions LSG must take ahead of IPL 2026

Sakshi Sharma

Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025 (Source: AFP)Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025 (Source: AFP)

As the IPL 2026 mini-auction draws near, franchises are busy finalising their retained and released players before the deadline. For the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who finished seventh in the IPL 2025 season with only six wins in 14 matches, this is a crucial rebuilding phase for the team.

Since their debut, LSG have shown decent performance but they still continue to chase their first IPL trophy. However, injuries, inconsistent performances, and poor squad balance have been their main problem last season. Heading into IPL 2026, here are three key areas the LSG management must address to turn their fortunes around.

1. Injury-prone and inconsistent bowling attack

  • The first and foremost problem that LSG needs to solve before IPL 2026 is an inconsistent bowling attack. The franchise's 2025 campaign was derailed by inconsistent bowling and multiple injury concerns. 
  • Injuries to key bowlers disturbed their campaign. Mayank Yadav, LSG’s Rs-11 crore retention, played only two matches before getting injured, while Mohsin Khan did not feature at all. Shardul Thakur, brought in as an injury replacement, claimed 13 wickets in 10 matches at an economy rate of 11.02. Avesh Khan and Akash Deep struggled with both form and fitness.
Data
Value
Innings2
Wickets2
Economy12.50

(Mayank Yadav's stats in IPL 2025)

  • While young spinner Digvesh Rathi impressed with 14 wickets at an economy rate of 8.25, the rest of the attack failed to deliver. Ravi Bishnoi, their most experienced spinner, took just nine wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of 10.83.
Data
Value
Innings13
Wickets14
Economy8.25

(Digvesh Rathi's stats in IPL 2025)

  • Having said this, ahead of  IPL 2026, LSG need to form a fit and reliable Indian pace battery. The franchise should consider trading or releasing injury-prone players like Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan while targeting consistent Indian fast bowlers. Bringing in a specialist death bowler and a backup overseas pacer could also solve their problem.

2. Rebuild middle order and find reliable finisher

  • Despite a strong top order on paper, LSG’s middle order struggled to provide stability in IPL 2025. Nicholas Pooran was consistent with the bat at the top of the order and made 524 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 196.25. But captain Rishabh Pant failed to form with the bat and provided much-needed stability in the middle-order. 
  • There are also several reports that LSG might release David Miller, and if these reports are to be believed, LSG will need to invest in a middle-order player.
Data
Value
Matches
14
Runs
269
Strike-Rate
133.16
Average24.45

(Rishabh Pant's stats in IPL 2025)

  • To solve this problem ahead of IPL 2026, the LSG management needs to restructure the middle order by acquiring a dependable Indian finisher. They can also target proven performers or experienced Indian batters to reduce dependence on overseas stars. This will also help reduce pressure on Pooran and Rishabh Pant.

3. Build strong Indian core, Reduce Overseas Dependence

  • One of LSG’s biggest weaknesses in IPL 2025 has been its over-reliance on overseas players. Their top order in 2025 featured many foreign names, including Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, and Mitchell Marsh. 
  • For maintaining success in the long term, LSG must build a stronger Indian core, a strategy that has benefited successful teams like MI and RCB. Developing and trusting Indian players across all roles can give the franchise stability and flexibility in team selection.