Lucknow Super Giants head into the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a purse of Rs 22.95 crore, six slots to fill, and four overseas vacancies. Unlike some other franchises, LSG already possess a strong core, particularly in the bowling department, allowing them to approach the auction with clear and focused priorities.
Lucknow Super Giants squad overview
Probable playing XII:
Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Middle-order batter, Ayush Badoni, All-rounder, Abdul Samad, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Mayank Yadav, Digvesh Rathi
Other squad members:
Akash Singh, Arjun Tendulkar, Arshin Kulkarni, Himmat Singh, M Siddharth, Matthew Breetzke, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed
What Lucknow Super Giants need at the auction
If there is one department where Lucknow Super Giants are well stocked, it is Indian fast bowling. The addition of Mohammed Shami further strengthens a pace unit that already includes Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and emerging options like Arjun Tendulkar, who provides left-arm cover if fitness issues arise.
With Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran, three overseas slots in the playing XII are virtually locked based on last season’s performances. The key decision for LSG revolves around how they use the fourth overseas slot.
LSG’s most pressing needs are a middle-order batter and an all-rounder who can provide balance to the XI. At present, none of their frontline bowlers offer meaningful batting depth, making the all-rounder role critical to team structure. If an overseas all-rounder is secured, LSG could then pivot toward strengthening their Indian batting depth.
Spin is another area to watch. After parting ways with Ravi Bishnoi, Digvesh Rathi remains the only wrist spinner in the squad. While he impressed last season, LSG may look for additional spin options to avoid over-reliance on a single specialist, especially on slower surfaces.
With four overseas slots available, the franchise could also consider adding an overseas fast bowler as insurance, particularly given the workload management concerns around their Indian quicks.
Potential targets for Lucknow Super Giants
LSG are expected to be selective rather than aggressive, focusing on fit-for-role players:
- Jason Holder – experienced overseas all-rounder
- Wiaan Mulder – seam-bowling all-round option
- Deepak Hooda – domestic all-round depth
- Abhinav Manohar – middle-order batting reinforcement
- Prashant Veer – emerging domestic all-rounder
- Salman Nizar – Indian batting cover
- Vignesh Puthur – wrist-spin option
- Sunny Sandhu – pace-bowling depth
- Alzarri Joseph – overseas fast bowler
- Anrich Nortje – express pace option
Auction outlook
Lucknow Super Giants enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction in a strong position, with most of their core already in place. Their success at the auction will depend on securing the right all-rounder and a reliable middle-order batter rather than chasing marquee names. If LSG can address those two gaps while adding spin cover, they will emerge from the auction with one of the most balanced squads in the league.
