Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) showed glimpses of talent in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025maintaining consistency but ultimately falling short of the playoff threshold, finishing seventh in the league stage.
Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2025 campaign
This performance was an improvement on their early form last season, re-emphasizing their strategy of building a strong group of proven Indian international players. While they struggled to find the decisive knockout punch in important games, their ability to remain competitive throughout the tournament demonstrated a solid blueprint for future success centered on consistency and a strong middle order.
This campaign was driven by many outstanding individual efforts. captain KL Rahul Led the batting order with characteristic composure, once again scoring over 600 runs and carrying the innings reliably. This stability was complemented by all-round mobility Krunal PandyaWho produced important performances with both bat and ball, often controlling the middle overs with tight spin. In the bowling side, young leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi Was highly effective, providing a genuine wicket-taking threat and becoming the team’s leading wicket-taker, ensuring that the team always had a chance to attack in the crucial middle overs.
Need for economic efficiency in IPL 2026
Despite showing good form and consistency in 2025, LSG’s approach to squad building has been burdened by some high-value signings, which did not translate into proportionate on-field returns. Franchises need to prioritize financial efficiency and streamline their roster to free up significant capital, ensuring they can target specialist, high-impact replacements in the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
One significant area requiring restructuring is the domestic pace department, where a significant investment was made in an experienced, high-priced fast bowler whose workload and number of wickets were severely limited. This capital could be better deployed to acquire a high-impact, specialist death-bowling option or a proven power-hitter. Additionally, the team also had some foreign players whose limited utility or failure to secure a consistent starting spot represented blocked money. These players, who were often bench-warmers despite large contracts, should be released to maximize the purse available to acquire value-for-money talent, ensuring the 2026 team is both competitive and financially sound.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) may release 5 players before IPL 2026 auction
1. Avesh Khan (fast bowler)
- Contract Price: INR 10.00 Crore
- Reason for release: High costs vs inconsistent returns
Avesh Khan He was retained/acquired for a significant amount to become the domestic fast bowler, but his performance in IPL 2025 was inconsistent, taking only 13 wickets in 13 matches at a high economy rate of over 10.29. Although he has talent, his high contract value demands greater reliability in both the powerplay and death overs. Releasing Avesh would remove a huge sum of Rs 10 crore from the purse, allowing LSG to target a proven, economical Indian fast bowler or re-invest the capital in a high-impact finisher.
2. M. Siddharth (bowler)
- Contract Price: 60 lakh rupees
- Reason for release: Need for redundancy and utility in spin attack
M. Siddharth is a home reserve spinner who offers a similar skill set to others in the LSG team (like M. Siddharth’s style). Although his contract is short, the domestic spin squad already includes established stars like Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya. Maintaining additional low-cost reserves, whose role is unnecessary and unlikely to secure playing time, is an inefficient use of domestic slots. Releasing him allows LSG to target a more versatile uncapped domestic player who offers batting utility or a different pace option.
3. Shamar Joseph (Expatriate fast bowler)
- Contract Price: INR 3.00 Crore
- Reason for release: Injury Replacement and Unused Capital
Shamar Joseph Signed as an expensive replacement in mid-season, but he was subsequently unavailable or deemed unsuitable for playing eleven selection due to appearing in zero matches. Although his contract is not huge, retaining a foreign player who has made zero contributions on the field and was not part of the starting core is unnecessary. Releasing him is a straightforward roster clean-up that frees up both an overseas slot and valuable capital for the auction, focusing on fit, high-impact contributors.
4. Shardul Thakur (all-rounder)
- Contract Price: Rs 10.75 crore
- Reason for release: High cost, inconsistent all-round returns and bowling inefficiency
Shardul Thakur was bought for big money to become a fast bowling all-rounder, but his performances in IPL 2025 often lacked consistent wickets and economical bowling as per his price tag. for more than a contract price Rs 10 croreThe team needs a more reliable performer who can consistently bowl death and accelerate at the end of the innings with the bat. Releasing Shardul would free up a huge chunk of the purse for a high-impact overseas all-rounder or a specialist Indian fast bowler.
5. William O’Rourke (bowler)
- Contract Price: Rs 4.40 crore
- Reason for release: High costs, performance risks and exotic slot inefficiencies
William O’Rourke was acquired at a reasonable price as an exciting overseas pace prospect. However, using him means spending a significant overseas slot on a player who has been largely untested in Indian conditions and whose limited appearances elsewhere have shown high economy rates. LSG needs to prioritize proven, high-impact foreign players for their limited slots. Retaining an expensive overseas pacer whose role is uncertain and output is risky is financially unfeasible. Releasing O’Rourke provides flexible capital and opens up an overseas slot.
