Lucknow Super Giants [2026] – Squad, Players & Playing 11
Lucknow Super Giants entered the IPL with a calm, structured and strategy driven approach that quickly made them one of the most competitive new IPL teams. Their first two seasons reflected smart planning, disciplined cricket and a balanced squad built around experience and youthful talent. LSG’s early consistency in playoffs established them as a serious franchise with long term potential.
Team Details:
The team represents Lucknow, a city known for culture, elegance and sporting enthusiasm. LSG built a reputation for playing mature cricket with strong emphasis on all rounders, tactical bowling and adaptable batting combinations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 |
| First Season | 2022 |
| Home Ground | BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium |
| Stadium Capacity | 50000 |
| Owner | RPSG Group (Sanjiv Goenka) |
| IPL Titles | 0 |
| Captain (2025) | KL Rahul |
| Head Coach (2025) | Justin Langer |
About Lucknow Super Giants:
LSG placed strong focus on squad depth from the beginning. They built their core around adaptable match winners, ensuring the team could handle different pitch conditions and game scenarios. The leadership combination of KL Rahul and Andy Flower initially provided calm planning, while a strong coaching setup refined player roles.
Their debut season performance showed clarity, structure and balanced team selection, which established trust among fans and analysts.
- Strong multi role players forming middle order
- Combination of raw pace and smart spin attack
- Clarity in leadership and tactical intent
Ownership And Management:
The franchise is owned by RPSG Group, a major industrial conglomerate that previously ran the Pune Supergiant team. Their experience in sports ownership helped LSG establish strong operational and management systems.
| Period | Owner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021–Present | RPSG Group | Known for structured sports management |
LSG’s leadership framework has been calm, composed and process oriented. Their captains have focused on trusting bowlers, playing flexible batting orders and maintaining discipline in field placements.
LSG Captains:
| Captain | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 2022–Present | Key figure in early team building |
| Krunal Pandya | 2023 (Interim) | Led during Rahul’s injury |
- Rahul brings stability and controlled aggression
- Krunal provides tactical awareness and fearlessness
- Dressing room atmosphere remains calm and organised
Coaching & Support Staff:
LSG maintain a coaching group that encourages players to express their natural style while respecting strategic roles. This balance played a major part in their early success.
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Justin Langer |
| Assistant Coach | Lance Klusener |
| Bowling Coach | Morne Morkel |
| Fielding Coach | Jonty Rhodes |
| Mentor (Early Seasons) | Gautam Gambhir |
Major Milestones And Defining Seasons:
The team created immediate impact by qualifying for playoffs in their first two seasons. Their batting depth, aggressive finishing and wicket taking bowlers made them difficult to beat.
Top Milestones:
- Reached playoffs in debut season 2022
- Qualified again in 2023, showing consistency
- Built a strong home crowd atmosphere at Ekana
- Developed multiple reliable finishers
- Created one of the best pace units among new teams
Why Their Start Stands Out?
- Clear tactical roles
- Consistent playing eleven
- Strong overseas leadership group
Auction Strategy And High Value Bids:
LSG’s auction strategy focuses on role based signings rather than chasing big names. They invest in power hitters, finishing all rounders and strike bowlers who impact specific phases of the game.
Top Purchases:
| Player | Year | Price (₹ Crore) | Role in Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 2022 (Draft Pick) | Draft selection | Team leader and top run scorer |
| Nicholas Pooran | 2025 (Retention) | 21.00 | Big hitter, finisher and middle order support |
| Ravi Bishnoi | 2022 (Draft Pick) | Draft selection | Lead spinner and key wicket taker |
| Marcus Stoinis | 2022 (Draft Pick) | Draft selection | All rounder with batting and bowling impact |
| Mayank Yadav | 2022 (Auction) | 0.20 (bought) / 11.00 (retained for 2025) | Express fast bowler and breakthrough talent |
Auction Highlights:
- Emphasis on strong finishing ability
- Preference for tall and fast bowlers
- Focus on left and right hand batting combinations
Most Influential Players Across Seasons:
These players shaped LSG’s early identity through consistent performances, versatility and strong temperament.
| Player | Role | Years | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | Batter | 2022–Present | Captain and anchor |
| Quinton de Kock | WK Batter | 2022–2024 | Powerplay acceleration |
| Marcus Stoinis | All Rounder | 2022–Present | Multi phase impact |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler | 2022–Present | Middle overs control |
| Nicholas Pooran | Batter | 2023–Present | Finisher with power |
| Avesh Khan | Bowler | 2022–2023 | Early bowling leader |
| Mark Wood | Bowler | 2023–2024 | Extreme pace spells |
| Krunal Pandya | All Rounder | 2022–Present | Utility role player |
| Deepak Hooda | Batter | 2022–2024 | Middle order strength |
| Mohsin Khan | Bowler | 2022–Present | Clutch death overs |
| Kyle Mayers | All Rounder | 2023–Present | Top order hitting |
| Ayush Badoni | Batter | 2022–Present | Finisher with calm approach |
| Naveen Ul Haq | Bowler | 2023–Present | Smart variations |
| Yudhvir Singh | Bowler | 2023–Present | Young talent |
| Daniel Sams | All Rounder | 2024 | Short but impactful role |
| Shamar Joseph | Bowler | 2025 | New pace signing |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter | 2024 | Left handed balance |
| Prerak Mankad | Batter | 2023–Present | Middle order rotation |
| Amit Mishra | Bowler | 2023–2024 | Experience in spin |
| Arpit Guleria | Bowler | 2024–Present | Domestic bowling depth |
Brand Partnerships And Commercials:
LSG have built a strong commercial base with brands that align with youth appeal and modern sporting identity.
Sponsorships:
| Year | Title Sponsor | Kit Sponsor | Key Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | My11Circle | Adidas | Acko |
| 2023 | My11Circle | Adidas | Greenply |
| 2024 | My11Circle | Adidas | JioCinema |
| 2025 | My11Circle | Adidas | Multiple long term partners |
Brand Strength Factors:
- Clean and modern team branding
- Rapid social media popularity
- Strong jersey design identity
Digital Presence And Fan Community:
LSG’s online presence grew rapidly because of fresh content, fun interactions, and the appeal of young players. Their digital storytelling and behind the scenes clips attracted a strong fan base.
| Platform | Link | Followers (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Website | lucknowsupergiants.in | – |
| https://instagram.com/lucknowsupergiants | 3.5 M | |
| X | https://x.com/lucknowipl | 810.3K |
| https://facebook.com/LucknowSuperGiantsIPLT20 | 1.5 M | |
| YouTube | https://youtube.com/LucknowIPL | 435K subscribers |
LSG’s Controversies:
- Debate around KL Rahul’s strike rate in certain seasons.
- Injuries affecting key players during playoffs.
- Heated on field exchange with RCB players in 2023.
- Selection choices questioned in late season matches.
- Criticism over rotating overseas players frequently.
Rivalry Matches:
LSG built strong rivalries early due to close finishes, emotional moments and tactical clashes.
- Against RCB for high intensity games
- Against CSK for competitive chases
- Against GT due to balanced squads
- Against MI for strategic battles
Season Wise Review And Team Progress:
| Season | Captain | Position | Wins | Losses | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | KL Rahul | Playoffs | 9 | 5 | de Kock |
| 2023 | KL Rahul (Krunal interim) | Playoffs | 8 | 6 | Stoinis |
| 2024 | KL Rahul | Mid table | – | – | Pooran |
| 2025 | KL Rahul | Ongoing | – | – | Bishnoi |
Records And Notable Statistics:
LSG may be a newer team, but they have already produced several significant statistical achievements.
- Highest total: 257
- Lowest total: 108
- Most runs: KL Rahul
- Most wickets: Ravi Bishnoi
- Best bowling: Mark Wood 5 for 14
- Most sixes: Nicholas Pooran
- Fastest fifty: Kyle Mayers
- Most catches: KL Rahul
Team Culture Highlights:
The franchise built a distinct culture that blends professionalism with youthful energy. Their training sessions, match environment and off field harmony play an important role in performance.
- Popular for having one of the best finishing units
- Ekana Stadium atmosphere gets louder every season
- Team focuses heavily on fitness and fielding
- KL Rahul’s calm leadership influences dressing room balance
- Strong investment in young Indian bowlers
Final Thoughts:
Lucknow Super Giants symbolise modern era cricket that values structure, calm leadership and multi dimensional talent. Their early playoff appearances, smart auction approach and strong coaching setup show that the team is built for long term consistency. With KL Rahul leading a balanced squad and a powerful support system behind him, LSG continue to grow as one of the strongest new forces in the league.
FAQs:
They joined in 2022.
RPSG Group.
Playoffs in 2022 and 2023.
KL Rahul.
KL Rahul, Stoinis, Pooran, Bishnoi and de Kock.
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