Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) going in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Mini-Auction With a highly defined strategic focus, armed with ₹22.95 crore and looking to fill its entire quota of four overseas slots. Despite a disappointing 7th overall finish in IPL 2025, the team retained a powerful core comprised of elite talent Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran And aiden markram,
Lucknow Supergiants: Targeting foreign experts for balance ahead of IPL 2026 mini-auction
Their most important structural requirement is for a specialist death bowler, an Indian spinner (following) Ravi Bishnoi), and a versatile fast all-rounder to provide flexibility. LSG will spend big on specialist roles, ensuring their team is structurally strong and balanced for a title push.
Despite finishing a disappointing 7th overall in IPL 2025, the team retained a powerful squad of foreign players and traded aggressively. Mohammed ShamiTheir biggest structural need is a specialist overseas death bowler (Mathisha Pathirana a key target), a high-quality reserve keeper, and a high-impact home spinner following Bishnoi’s release. LSG will spend big on specialist roles, ensuring their team is structurally strong and balanced for a title push.
5 players whom Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) could target in IPL 2026 mini-auction
1. Mathisha Pathirana (Overseas Express Pacer)
Pathirana is LSG’s top priority target and a necessity for their death overs bowling. Despite retaining Shami, LSG lack a dedicated, last-overs specialist bowler and Pathirana fills the void perfectly. Known for his unique sling-shot action and pin-point yorkers, he is an elite, high-volume wicket-taker (47 wickets in 32 IPL matches). Acquiring the young Sri Lankan would immediately give skipper Pant a world-class overseas strike bowler, an essential element in defending low scores or controlling big scores.
2. Jason Holder (foreign pace-bowling all-rounder)
jason holder It is an important goal to overcome the lack of a genuine fast-medium bowling all-rounder in the team. Holder provides invaluable utility: a genuine fast-medium bowler who can operate in the middle overs and provide useful, right-arm pace in the death overs. His ability to hit the ball long with the bat provides a reliable lower-middle-order insurance Ayush BadoniA role that LSG desperately needs to ensure flexibility at the end of the innings. Their experience and dual skills provide the necessary structural flexibility.
3. Wanindu Hasaranga (Overseas spin-bowling all-rounder)
After the release of Ravi BishnoiLSG needs a high-impact, wicket-taking spinner. Wanindu Hasaranga The leading overseas leg-spinning all-rounder available. He not only guarantees wickets in the middle overs, but also provides valuable power-hitting (over 140 T20 SR) in the lower order to boost the score. Hasaranga’s dual utility makes him an ideal acquisition, as he strengthens both the bowling attack with his striking ability and the batting line-up with his aggressive hitting, providing excellent flexibility in the team structure.
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4. Jake Fraser-McGurk (Overseas Opening Batsman/Reserve)
Jake Fraser-McGurkThe issuance by DC represents an exciting, aggressive long-term investment for LSG. The young Australian is known for his ultra-aggressive approach (over 150 T20 SRs) and his ability to dismantle the bowling attack right from the start. Acquiring him would give LSG a high-calibre, low-cost overseas batsman who can be rotated with Stoinis or darryl mitchell Depends on pitch conditions and form. Fraser-McGurk’s high-impact style and young age aligns perfectly with LSG’s desire to secure talent for the future.
5. Rahul Chahar (Indian leg spinner)
With Bishnoi’s release confirmed, LSG are in dire need of a quality, proven Indian leg spinner to lead their domestic spin attack. Rahul ChaharRegular performers in the IPL are the prime candidates. Chahar is known for his control, ability to take wickets in the middle overs and his excellent economy rate (7.72 in IPL). Targeting him ensures that LSG secure an experienced home spinner who can handle the bowling pressure in the crucial middle phase of the innings, giving the required depth to their bowling arsenal.
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