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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are now officially out of the race for the playoffs in IPL 2026. With just 3 wins in 11 matches, they now have no hope of making the playoffs.
Their defeat to Chennai Super Kings on Sunday meant that LSG was the first team to be eliminated from IPL 2026. They have now missed the top four in each of the last three IPL seasons.
After being introduced in 2022, the Lucknow franchise made the playoffs in its first two years – 2022 and 2023 – before missing the top four for the first time in 2024. In 2025, LSG finished 7th in the points table, winning only 6 out of 14 matches. Barring a miracle, they are set to finish even lower in 2026.
Such poor performance, especially two seasons in a row, will undoubtedly prompt LSG to reconsider IPL 2027. With 2027 likely to be a mini-auction year, it remains to be seen what kind of rebuild the franchise can pull off.
In this article, we will look at the complete list of players who may be released by the franchise.
Players likely to be released by LSG after IPL 2026
Rishabh Pant
During the IPL 2025 mega auction, Rishabh Pant was bought for a record-breaking Rs. The Lucknow franchise paid him Rs 27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history.
He was appointed team captain, but neither his nor the team’s fortunes improved. Pant’s performance as captain has already been highlighted, but his performance with the bat has not been anything to write home about.
In 2025, he scored 269 runs in 14 matches at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133. And this also included an inning of 118* runs against RCB in the last match.
In 2026, he has scored 251 runs in 11 matches at a slightly better average of 27.89 and a strike rate of 138.67 with just 1 half-century.
LSG management is holding on to 2025 despite disaster, but two disasters in two years may force them to look away. Even if he is not released, his chances of continuing as captain are decreasing day by day.
Himmat Singh
Himmat Singh was bought by LSG in the 2025 mega auction for his base price of Rs. 30 million. He hasn’t made any real impact on the franchise so far in his two years.
Last year he played 3 matches and did not get a chance to bat or bowl. This year, he has scored 92 runs in 6 matches at an average of 30.67 and a strike rate of 133. Himmat has been playing mostly as a finisher, so his inability to make a real impact may prompt LSG to look elsewhere next year.
Avesh Khan
Avesh was originally bought by LSG in the mega auction in 2022. Despite being uncapped, the team was willing to spend Rs. Rs 10 crore for that.
At that time Avesh Khan had become the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history and is still at the second position. After two years at LSG, he was sold to Rajasthan Royals in 2024. During the mega auction in 2025, LSG decided to buy him again, this time for Rs. 9.75 crores. Like his team, Avesh has not had a good season at all.
In 2025, he took 13 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 37.46 and an economy rate of 10.28. Their performance on both metrics has gone down in 2026. His bowling average of 45.5 with an economy of around 11 runs per over has not made him a fan favourite. He has played only 7 matches this year and taken only 6 wickets.
His inability to recreate his good performances in 2021 and 2022 that earned him India caps could mean that LSG will likely move on from him. The presence of Mohammed Shami along with the rise of Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan will also be a key factor in the decision.
Enrique Nortje
The South African fast bowler has a long history of battling serious injuries. Many times his injuries have a long-term impact on his ability to play cricket for a long period of time.
For IPL 2026, LSG signed Nortje for Rs. 2 crores, his base price. But due to injury he is once again out of IPL 2026. He played only one match in the tournament but was ruled out for the season with an undisclosed injury.
In one of his matches, he gave 39 runs in four overs at an economy of 9.75 and did not take any wicket. His injury history could prove to be a problem for him and prompt LSG to release him.
Arjun Tendulkar
Being the son of the great Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun had many eyes on him ever since he was a child. Unlike his famous father, Arjun Tendulkar is a left-arm fast bowler who can also bat a bit. Arjun spent several years as a net bowler for Mumbai Indians before officially joining as a player in 2021. He remained there until 2025, and took 3 wickets in 5 matches.
Ahead of IPL 2026, Tendulkar Jr. was traded to MI by Lucknow Super Giants. Just like in 2025, LSG has not given him any game time in IPL 2026 too. With rising and established stars like Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan and Prince Yadav, LSG may decide to let Arjun go.
Mayank Yadav
Mayank Yadav originally joined LSG in 2022 but did not get any games that year. The next year, he got injured and so he had to wait until 2024 to actually play in the IPL.
On his debut, his figures of 3/14 earned him the Player of the Match award. He also won the award in his second match, and became the first player in IPL history to be named POTM in his first two matches.
His first season was limited to only 4 matches due to injury, where he took 7 wickets at a bowling average of 12 and an economy rate of less than 7. These performances also earned him the chance to make his T20I debut with India later that year.
For the 2025 mega auction, LSG retained him for Rs. 11 crores. But once again due to injury he had to be limited to only 2 matches. In 2 matches, he took 2 wickets at an average of 50 and economy of 12.50.
In 2026, Mayank Yadav has been relatively injury-free but has lost his form. In 2 matches this year, he did not take any wicket and scored runs at an economy rate of more than 13 runs per over. With Shami, Mohsin and Prince Yadav handling the pace attack, LSG will likely consider Mayank Yadav surplus to requirements.
George Linde
South African left-arm spinner George Linde got his first taste of the IPL in 2026 when he joined Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga. But, he could not live up to the expectations.
In 3 matches, Linde has taken only one wicket at a bowling average of 55 and economy of 8.91. LSG has also started playing four foreign batsmen in their recent matches. When the retention deadline arrives for IPL 2027, the foreign player combination rules will force LSG to release at least one foreign player.
It can’t be said for sure whether Hasaranga will be available for 2027, but if they had to choose, LSG would most likely stick with Hasaranga and let Linde go.
Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin urges Ajit Agarkar to bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into India’s T20 team
