Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured a seventh-place finish in IPL 2024. They began the season strong, winning three of their first four matches, but struggled with consistency, failing to secure more than two consecutive victories thereafter.
Among the four teams that ended with 14 points, LSG had the lowest net run rate (-0.667), while the best-performing side from the group managed to reach the playoffs.
Table of Contents
Best Likely XII
- Yuvraj Chaudhary/Arshin Kulkarni
- Mitchell Marsh*
- Nicholas Pooran*
- Rishabh Pant (capt & wk)
- Ayush Badoni
- David Miller*
- Abdul Samad
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Rajvardhan Hangargekar
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Shamar Joseph*
- Akash Singh/Prince Yadav
* denotes overseas player
Full Squad
Rishabh Pant (c), David Miller, Aiden Markram, Aryan Juyal, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Ayush Badoni, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Manimaran Siddarth Digvesh Singh, Akash Singh, Shamar Joseph, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ravi Bishnoi
Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2025 Setup: Rejuvenated LSG Aim for Resurgence
Ahead of the last mega auction, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) made a significant shift by parting ways with KL Rahul, who had led them to two consecutive playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023. In his place, Rishabh Pant was brought in for a record-breaking INR 27 crore and appointed captain. LSG’s IPL 2025 campaign kicks off in Visakhapatnam against Pant’s former team, Delhi Capitals (DC).
Despite being a relatively new franchise with just three IPL seasons under their belt, LSG had a promising start with two strong playoff runs. However, after a disappointing seventh-place finish in 2024, they underwent a leadership overhaul. Along with Pant’s arrival, the coaching staff also saw changes, with Zaheer Khan taking over as mentor.
The squad has seen several reinforcements. Aiden Markram and Shahbaz Ahmed are eyeing middle-order spots alongside retained players Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni, while David Miller and Abdul Samad provide finishing options. Matthew Breetzke, known for his explosive ODI debut century, is a backup opener. Mitchell Marsh, cleared to play as a specialist batter, could open, though that might leave LSG short on all-round options.
The bowling unit has a heavy Indian presence, but injuries to key pacers Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep pose a challenge. This could provide opportunities for Prince Yadav, Akash Singh, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar, though their lack of experience might be a concern. Ravi Bishnoi remains the only guaranteed starter among the bowlers.
LSG retained five players before the auction, including Nicholas Pooran (INR 21 crore), Ravi Bishnoi, and Mayank Yadav (both INR 11 crore), while Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni were kept as uncapped retentions. They re-signed Avesh Khan and added Akash Deep to bolster their domestic pace attack, though injuries remain a worry.
With only six overseas players—tied for the fewest among teams alongside Rajasthan Royals—LSG’s management, led by Zaheer Khan, has its work cut out. The overseas contingent has undergone changes, bringing in David Miller, Mitchell Marsh, and Matthew Breetzke for added firepower. South Africa’s T20I captain Aiden Markram has also been roped in, replacing outgoing stars Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis. Entering a new chapter under Pant’s leadership, LSG will be determined to re-establish themselves as playoff contenders.
Watch Out For
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant’s status as the IPL’s costliest player carries significant weight. Despite being named in India’s squads for both the Champions Trophy and the five-match T20I series against England earlier this year, he didn’t feature in either. With limited opportunities in T20 cricket over the past year, he will be eager to remind the selectors of his value in the shortest format.
Since India’s T20 World Cup triumph, Pant has played just two of their 20 matches, with priorities shifting to Test cricket, workload management, and recovery. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson’s strong performances as both an opener and wicketkeeper have cemented his spot in the national team. Given LSG’s lack of a proven Indian opener, Pant could be pushed up the order, aligning with his aspirations for an international comeback. His best IPL numbers come at No. 3, where he averages 39.36 and strikes at 169.14, though from a small sample of 13 innings.
Young Openers Ready to Step Up for LSG
If Marsh or Markram take the top-order slots, LSG still have promising alternatives in Arshin Kulkarni and Yuvraj Chaudhary. Kulkarni, who opened in two matches for LSG last season, was Maharashtra’s highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.
Chaudhary, meanwhile, impressed in the Uttarakhand Premier League 2024, boasting a staggering strike rate of 192.80 and an average of 80.5. He continued his fine form in the SMAT, finishing as Uttarakhand’s top scorer with 234 runs, including a century, at a strike rate of 168.34. Both players bring additional value with the ball—Kulkarni as a medium pacer and Chaudhary as a left-arm spinner.
Shahbaz Ahmed
Shahbaz Ahmed showcased his all-round abilities in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, registering his maiden T20 century while maintaining a strike rate of 176.86—the highest for Bengal.
Primarily batting in the middle order at Nos. 5 and 6, he provided crucial firepower. With the ball, he was equally effective, finishing as Bengal’s leading spinner with seven wickets in the tournament.
Akash Deep
Bought for INR 8 crore after breaking into the Indian team, the fast bowler has played just eight IPL matches since his debut in 2022. However, with injuries sidelining key pacers, Akash Deep now has a golden opportunity to cement his place as a crucial part of LSG’s bowling attack.
Ravi Bishnoi
LSG’s fast-bowling unit could face setbacks with Mayank, Mohsin, and Avesh potentially missing parts of the tournament. Their absence weakens the pace attack, making Lucknow’s surfaces likely to favor spin.
In such conditions, Ravi Bishnoi could be a key asset. Since the T20 World Cup 2024, he has been India’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is, underlining his effectiveness in the format.
Concerns
Injury Woes Loom Over LSG’s Bowling Attack
LSG’s bowling unit leans heavily on its domestic core, but key pacers—Mayank, Mohsin, and Avesh—are racing against time to regain fitness for the season opener. Mayank hasn’t played since October 2024, while Mohsin has featured in only a handful of matches across formats since IPL 2024.
Adding to the concerns, Mitchell Marsh, recently recovered from a back injury, will play purely as a batter, limiting LSG’s all-round options. With Mohsin sidelined due to an ACL injury, Mayank ruled out for the first half of the season, and Avesh still nursing a knee issue, the pace attack appears fragile. Akash Deep is also on the mend following his injury in Australia’s New Year’s Test.
Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur and Shivam Mavi have been training with LSG, but their inclusion as official injury replacements remains uncertain.
Fixture Challenges and Key Home Ground Stat
LSG kick off their IPL campaign with two away fixtures—against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam, followed by a short trip to Hyderabad to face Sunrisers Hyderabad. They return home on April 1, playing five of their seven scheduled home matches within the month. Unlike the usual grueling travel schedules in the IPL, LSG have a relatively balanced itinerary, with no more than two consecutive away games at any point.
Their home ground, Ekana Stadium, has proven to be a challenging venue for batters. Since its IPL debut in 2023, it has recorded the lowest average first-innings total (165) across all venues. With the impact player rule encouraging aggressive batting from ball one, it remains to be seen whether Lucknow’s surfaces will become more batting-friendly this season.
Read More: IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals Preview – Squad Analysis of DC And Starting XI
FAQs
Who is leading Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025?
Rishabh Pant has taken charge of LSG, aiming to revamp their fortunes this season.
What are LSG’s biggest challenges this IPL season?
Injuries to key pacers Mayank, Mohsin, and Avesh could leave their bowling attack vulnerable.
How has Ekana Stadium performed as an IPL venue?
Since its IPL debut in 2023, Ekana Stadium has recorded the lowest average first-innings score (165).
Who are LSG’s opening options for IPL 2025?
Options include Arshin Kulkarni, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Mitchell Marsh, and Aiden Markram, depending on team balance.
What is LSG’s travel schedule like this season?
LSG has a well-balanced schedule with a maximum of two consecutive away games before returning home.
