LSG Retention List IPL 2026: Lucknow Super Giants Release David Miller, Ravi Bishnoi After Disappointing Campaign

Lucknow Super Giants have finalized their retention list for the IPL 2026 season, making strategic decisions by releasing their leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and veteran finisher David Miller while retaining 17 players from their IPL 2025 campaign. The franchise, which finished seventh last season with six wins from 14 matches, has opted for squad restructuring ahead of the December 16 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. With captain Rishabh Pant leading the retained core and INR 22.95 crore available in their auction purse, LSG enters the mini-auction with clear objectives to strengthen their bowling attack and middle-order consistency that prevented playoff qualification.

LSG’s Strategic Retention Philosophy

After a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign that saw Lucknow Super Giants miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season, the team maintained a balanced approach by retaining the core performers while making difficult decisions on underperforming stars. The retention strategy reflects hard lessons learned from inconsistent cricket, prioritizing young Indian talent, proven international match-winners, and squad flexibility over expensive players who couldn’t deliver consistent performances.

Under the leadership of captain Rishabh Pant—acquired for a record-breaking INR 27 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction—and guided by head coach Justin Langer and director of cricket Tom Moody, LSG transformed their approach from high-profile signings to sustainable team building. The franchise’s decision to retain 17 players demonstrates confidence in the existing squad foundation while creating strategic opportunities through targeted releases and trades.

Lucknow Super Giants’ Complete Retained Players List for IPL 2026

Traded-In Players:

• Mohammed Shami (Fast Bowler, India) – Acquired from SRH for INR 10 crore
• Arjun Tendulkar (All-rounder, India) – Acquired from MI for INR 30 lakh

The retention of 17 players plus two strategic trades demonstrates Lucknow Super Giants’ commitment to building around a balanced Indian-overseas mix while maintaining bowling firepower and batting depth across all positions.

The Ravi Bishnoi Release: Match-Winner Potential Unfulfilled

Perhaps the most significant decision in LSG’s retention list is the release of leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, whose inability to develop into a consistent match-winner prompted the franchise think tank to part ways despite his INR 11 crore retention value from the IPL 2025 mega auction. The 25-year-old international spinner, who has featured in 42 T20Is for India, struggled to replicate his early playoff-qualifying performances.

Bishnoi was originally picked by LSG before IPL 2022 for INR 4 crore as an uncapped player, claiming 13 wickets at an economy rate of 8.44 when the franchise reached the playoffs. A year later, he bagged 16 scalps at an economy rate of 7.74, again helping LSG secure playoff qualification. However, his IPL 2025 campaign saw a dramatic decline, managing just 9 wickets in 11 matches with less impactful performances in crucial situations.

Ravi Bishnoi: IPL Performance Across Seasons

The LSG management, including Tom Moody, Justin Langer, and former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, concluded that Bishnoi’s inability to develop into a consistent match-winner justified his release. The franchise attempted to trade him to several teams before the retention deadline, but found no takers willing to absorb his INR 11 crore salary.

The statistics reveal a concerning trajectory—while Bishnoi maintained reasonable economy rates, his wicket-taking ability and impact in pressure situations diminished precisely when LSG needed their premier spinner to deliver match-winning performances. His release frees up significant purse space that LSG can redistribute toward more impactful acquisitions at the mini-auction.

David Miller: Finishing Power Fades Away

The release of David Miller represents another bold strategic move by Lucknow Super Giants, considering the South African’s reputation as one of T20 cricket’s most feared finishers. However, his IPL 2025 performances failed to justify the INR 7.50 crore investment made at the mega auction.

Miller, known for his power-hitting and finishing skills, scored 153 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 127.49 in the last IPL season—numbers that pale in comparison to the explosive finishing expected from a player of his caliber. The veteran’s inability to accelerate in death overs and close matches under pressure made his position expendable in a squad already blessed with finishers like Nicholas Pooran and Abdul Samad.

David Miller: IPL 2025 Performance Analysis

LSG’s decision to release Miller signals a strategic shift toward younger, more explosive middle-order options who can provide the kind of late-innings acceleration that eluded the franchise in crucial matches. With Nicholas Pooran retained as the primary overseas finisher and promising Indian talents like Abdul Samad and Himmat Singh available, the franchise felt comfortable moving on from Miller’s services.

The South African’s release also creates an overseas slot that LSG can utilize to target a more dynamic all-rounder or specialist role player at the December auction, potentially addressing gaps in their bowling attack or top-order batting.

Mohammed Shami Trade: Blockbuster Bowling Reinforcement

While LSG’s releases garnered headlines, their most significant acquisition came through the trade window when they secured veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 10 crore—his existing contract value. The move represents a massive coup for Lucknow’s bowling attack, adding proven international experience and wicket-taking ability.

Shami, a Purple Cap winner who featured in 119 IPL games for five different teams since his debut in 2013, brings immense pedigree to the franchise. He secured the Purple Cap in 2023 by taking 28 wickets in 17 matches for Gujarat Titans, and added 20 wickets during GT’s title-winning run.

The experienced seamer missed the IPL 2024 season due to injury but has since recovered and resumed competitive cricket. His acquisition addresses LSG’s critical need for a frontline pace bowler capable of handling both new-ball and death-overs responsibilities—roles that proved problematic when Mayank Yadav suffered injury setbacks during IPL 2025.

LSG’s Strategic Trade Window Activity

The pairing of Shami with the express pace of Mayank Yadav creates a potentially devastating new-ball combination for LSG in IPL 2026, provided both remain injury-free. Shami’s experience in high-pressure situations and his ability to extract movement from any surface makes him an invaluable asset for a franchise desperate to break their playoff qualification drought.

Other Strategic Releases and Trades

Beyond the headline departures of Bishnoi and Miller, LSG released six additional players to optimize squad composition and create auction flexibility.

Lucknow Super Giants’ Complete Released Players List

Akash Deep, who missed the first half of IPL 2025 due to an injury suffered during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, played six matches and picked three wickets at an economy rate of 12.05—disappointing returns that failed to justify his INR 8 crore price tag from the mega auction.

Shamar Joseph, the West Indian fast bowler, was released after failing to secure regular playing opportunities in a pace-heavy squad. His overseas slot became expendable with the acquisition of Mohammed Shami and retention of Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and Matthew Breetzke occupying the foreign player positions.

Shardul Thakur’s trade to Mumbai Indians represents his third IPL franchise change via trade, moving for INR 2 crore after his all-round role became redundant with Shahbaz Ahmed, Mitchell Marsh, and Arshin Kulkarni providing similar capabilities at lower costs.

The Controversial Mayank Yadav Retention

One of the most debated decisions in LSG’s retention list is keeping Mayank Yadav despite his injury concerns and post-IPL 2025 back surgery that required extensive rehabilitation. The 23-year-old express pacer, who generated massive excitement with his raw pace before injuries struck, represents both LSG’s biggest gamble and highest potential reward.

Mayank underwent back surgery post-2025 IPL and is currently doing his rehab. He is understood to resume bowling soon and is expected to bowl at at least 85% capacity by February 2026 with the aim of getting fully ready come IPL season.

The LSG think tank—comprising Tom Moody, Justin Langer, and Bharat Arun—agreed that Mayank’s match-winning potential when fit justified the retention risk despite uncertainty over his bowling workload. The franchise is betting that a healthy Mayank paired with Mohammed Shami can provide the kind of pace bowling firepower that few IPL teams can match.

Auction Strategy: Targeting Specific Positions

With INR 22.95 crore remaining and six roster slots available (including four overseas positions), Lucknow Super Giants enters the December 16 mini-auction with precise priorities rather than extensive squad reconstruction requirements.

Primary Auction Targets:

1. Quality Leg-Spinner to Replace Ravi Bishnoi: With Bishnoi’s release creating a void in wrist-spinning options, LSG desperately needs a wicket-taking leg-spinner who can provide control in middle overs and pick crucial wickets in pressure situations. The franchise may even attempt to buy back Bishnoi at a reduced price, as reports suggest mutual understanding on this strategy.

2. Explosive Middle-Order Finisher to Replace David Miller: Miller’s departure creates an opportunity to target a more dynamic middle-order power-hitter capable of providing consistent late-innings acceleration. LSG needs a finisher who can complement Nicholas Pooran rather than duplicate his role.

3. Experienced Indian Pace Bowling Backup: Despite Mohammed Shami’s acquisition, LSG requires additional Indian pace depth given Mayank Yadav’s injury history. A proven domestic pacer who can handle death-overs pressure would provide crucial insurance.

4. Versatile All-Rounder for Squad Balance: With Shardul Thakur traded away, LSG could target a genuine all-rounder who offers batting depth and bowling options across powerplay, middle, and death overs.

5. Young Domestic Talent for Long-Term Investment: With substantial purse remaining after addressing primary needs, LSG can afford to invest in promising uncapped Indian players who offer value-for-money options and future potential.

Lucknow Super Giants’ approach suggests calculated acquisitions focused on filling specific skill gaps rather than chasing marquee names. The franchise has learned from past mistakes where expensive signings underperformed, opting instead for targeted bidding that prioritizes role clarity and proven IPL performance.

Building Around Rishabh Pant’s Leadership

The retention of Rishabh Pant as captain signals LSG’s long-term leadership commitment despite the team’s seventh-place finish in IPL 2025. The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, acquired for a record INR 27 crore, experienced an inconsistent debut season with the franchise but demonstrated flashes of the match-winning brilliance that justified his historic price tag.

With a more balanced squad, clearer role definitions, and the addition of Mohammed Shami’s experience, Pant will have better resources to execute strategic plans in IPL 2026. The combination of Pant’s captaincy, Nicholas Pooran’s finishing expertise, Mitchell Marsh’s all-round contributions, and Mayank Yadav’s pace potential creates a formidable core capable of challenging for playoff qualification.

The franchise’s philosophy of backing young Indian talent like Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, and Digvesh Rathi while maintaining experienced overseas balance positions them for sustained improvement. LSG’s management believes that with targeted auction additions addressing spin bowling and middle-order finishing, the team can break their three-season playoff drought and establish themselves as genuine title contenders.

Read More: Punjab Kings Retention List IPL 2026: Release Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis With ₹11.5 Crore Purse

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