The Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) failure to reach the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs for the past seasons continued in 2025. In the IPL 2025, LSG finished 7th in the points table. The management’s ambitions are high and it begins with the IPL 2026 auction. Down below, we have listed LSG Target Players List 2026 IPL season.
Despite bringing in Indian wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant, Lucknow Super Giants once again failed to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs. They finished 7th with 6 wins and 8 losses in the campaign.
Since their participation for the first season in 2022, the management has shown immense ambition, going so far to acquire Pant for a record INR 27 crore salary. However, they still remain trophyless and are reportedly planning big for next season.
Ahead of them putting their plans into action in the IPL 2026 player auction, we have today listed LSG Target Players List 2026 IPL season.
Table of Contents
LSG Retained Players List IPL 2026
Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh, Rishabh Pant (c), Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshin Kulkarni, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Akash Singh, Mohammed Shami (trade in from SRH), Arjun Tendulkar (trade in from MI)
Lucknow Super Giants Released Players List 2026 IPL
Aryan Juyal, David Miller, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Akash Deep, Will O’Rourke, Ravi Bishnoi, Shamar Joseph, Shardul Thakur (trade out to MI)
LSG Squad Analysis
Strength
- The Lucknow Super Giants’ batting is already set with the likes of Pooran, Markram, Marsh, Badoni, Abdul Samad.
- Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi and Shahbaz Ahmed are great spin bowling options already available for the Super Giants.
Areas to Improve
- Lucknow Super Giants need an overseas finisher in their batting line-up down the order. They are reliant on the likes of Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad for that role.
- Although Aiden Markram is a handy off-spin bowler, LSG might still target another spin bowler to just add to the options available.
- Lucknow Super Giants have a mixed pace bowling unit so far with the likes of Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Arjun Tendulkar, they might want to add one or more options, especially overseas pacers.
LSG Target Players 2026
| PLAYER | ROLE |
| Nikhil Choudhary | All-rounder |
| Cameron Green | All-rounder |
| Wiaan Mulder | All-rounder |
| Will O’Rourke | Pacer |
| Matt Henry | Pacer |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Pacer |
| Adam Zampa | Spinner |
| Prithvi Shaw | Batter |
| Abhinav Manohar | All-rounder |
| Vijay Shankar | All-rounder |
| Mohit Sharma | Pacer |
Lucknow Super Giants Overseas Target Players
Nikhil Choudhary
India born Australian batter Nikhil Choudhary could be a great option to add some explosiveness down the order for the Super Giants. Nikhil made headlines with his performance in his debut Big Bash League (BBL) campaign in 2023. He is known for his ability to use mass power to deposit the ball out of the park. He can also bowl some medium pace.
Cameron Green
Although the Lucknow Super Giants aren’t in need of any overseas batting option with the likes of Pooran, Markram and Marsh, but reports have heavily linked Cameron Green with Lucknow Super Giants. There are expected to be a lot of suitors for Green in the auction and LSG, if they have the purse, might want to bring the Aussie to the team.
Wiaan Mulder
South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder could be another option to add to the lower middle-order batting. Mulder is part of LSG’s sister team Durban Super Giants in the SA20 and most recently made the headlines with his wonderful triple century vs Zimbabwe in a Test match, showcasing his explosive batting.
Matt Henry
Shamar Joseph might remain with the Lucknow franchise for the new season, but they are in the hunt for a second overseas bowling option. New Zealand’s Matt Henry could be a great pick for LSG. Henry has been performing brilliantly over the last few years in various T20 leagues and in international cricket for New Zealand. He is in a lot of demand and would be an expensive option.
Will O’Rourke
If not Henry, LSG might be determined to bring back Will O’Rourke to the side. He was part of the franchise in the IPL 2025 as a temporary replacement and isn’t allowed to be retained as per the regulations. He is a great bowler who uses his height and bowl at a troubling line and length. He picked 6 wickets in 3 matches in the 2025.
Matheesha Pathirana
Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana would be another player that the Rishabh Pant led side would target for the IPL 2026 season. The so-called Baby Malinga has been surprisingly released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and there is already a lot of demand for the Lankan pacer and is LSG is one of the team.
Adam Zampa
Australian spin bowler Adam Zampa is one of the world’s best spin bowlers. If LSG is looking to add to their spin bowling options, then Zampa would be a solid option. He has been pretty successful playing across the world and in the IPL.
LSG Target Players Indian
Prithvi Shaw
While the Lucknow Super Giants might not need an opening batter, but if they want to try out something different Shaw will be a great option. He has been overlooked by the franchises in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. He is an explosive opener who likes to make the most of the powerplay.
Abhinav Manohar
Former Sunrisers Hyderabad down the order finisher Abhinav Manohar might among the Indian contingent name to strengthen the lower-order. He can be a great backup option for Abdul Samad. Manohar’s brute power is his biggest strength which allows him to clear the fence easily.
Mohit Sharma
Among pace bowling options, experienced campaigner Mohit Sharma would be a great pick. Sharma is known for his ability to different variations including his great weapon back of the hand slower. The Ekana Stadium is known for its slower nature and that would greatly suit the play style of Mohit Sharma. He is also likely to be available for very cheap.
LSG Probable XI after IPL 2026 Auction
Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Abhinav Manohar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Digvesh Rathi, Will O’Rourke, Mohammed Shami.
Impact Players: Avesh Khan/ Akash Singh
NOTE: This is only our prediction and the actual LSG Target Players List 2026 IPL might be different.
