Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are preparing to make a comeback in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. After failing to reach the playoffs for two consecutive years, Lucknow franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka has recalled Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir to help them achieve better results.
Rishabh Pant will continue to lead the Super Giants despite a difficult debut season as franchise captain. The management is hopeful that the expensive wicketkeeper-batsman can guide LSG to their maiden IPL title after the Lucknow-based franchise strengthened its domestic fast bowling corps.
Sanjiv Goenka recalls Gautam Gambhir’s important advice
Sanjiv Goenka recalled the team-building philosophy shared by former franchise mentor Gautam Gambhir. Goenka admitted that after last year’s disappointing season he finally fully understood the importance of prioritizing wicket-taking bowlers over aggressive batsmen.
Sanjeev Goenka on Gautam Gambhir:
Gautam once told me that you can win individual matches on the strength of your batsmen but you win tournaments on the strength of your bowlers. He told me this in 2022 and I understood this last year.pic.twitter.com/R1suKx0s0p
– KKR Caravan (@KkrKaravan) 22 March 2026
Goenka said, “Gautam once told me that you can win individual matches on the strength of your batsmen but you win tournaments on the strength of your bowlers. He told me this in 2022 and I understood this last year.”
Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar join the team
LSG strengthened their passing attack through major strategic off-season moves. The franchise successfully acquired premium fast bowler Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹10 crore.
The experienced wicket-taker will lead their revamped frontline bowling unit. Additionally, LSG signed bowling all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar from Mumbai Indians, while Shardul Thakur was traded to the Mumbai franchise.
Arjun Tendulkar provides the required team balance. He provides a valuable left-arm pace option and can contribute vital runs lower down the order in high-pressure T20 target chases.
Meanwhile, LSG have concerns about their overseas combination, especially with Wanindu Hasaranga injured. The Sri Lankan spinner is currently recovering from the injury that ruled him out of the initial stages of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Hasaranga suffered an injury to his left hamstring, and there is still no official update on his availability for IPL 2026. With the tournament fast approaching, the all-rounder is now in a race against time to regain full fitness.
Rishabh Pant under pressure after disappointing IPL 2025 campaign
Rishabh Pant’s record purchase of ₹27 crore last year was due to a very poor personal campaign. Pant scored only 269 runs in 13 innings, registering just one century and one half-century for LSG.
Lucknow Super Giants won only six matches and suffered four consecutive defeats before being eliminated from the playoff race. There is now huge pressure on Pant to deliver immediate results.
Lucknow Super Giants will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1. After this, they will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) during the initial phase of the schedule.
The franchise reached the playoffs in its first two seasons under KL Rahul before experiencing a dip in form recently. With Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar strengthening the bowling attack, Pant will have to create rapid pace to bring Lucknow Super Giants back into the playoff race.
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