In the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lucknow Super Giants is among those teams whose batting is very strong. The pair of Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram will once again open the innings. Nicholas Pooran will come first down and then it can be followed by Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad. Apart from this, LSG also has Josh English and Matthew Britzke. However, English will not be available for the entire IPL 2026 season.

If seen, LSG has more than one stalwart from opening till number-6 but that is not visible in their bowling. This franchise had added Mohammed Shami to its squad by trading him with Sunrisers Hyderabad. LSG tried to strengthen their bowling by buying Enrique Norkhia and Wanindu Hasaranga in the mini auction but the injury suffered by the Sri Lankan spinner during the T20 World Cup 2026 has increased their concerns.

Who is in LSG’s pace attack?

The pace attack of the team captained by Rishabh Pant includes all the Indian bowlers except Norkhia, which include the names of Shami, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, Akash Singh, Arjun Tendulkar and Naman Tiwari. Among these bowlers, Shami, Avesh, Mayank and Mohsin will be seen playing. These four fast bowlers have been struggling with fitness. Shami has turned 35, while there are always question marks over the fitness of Avesh, Mayank and Mohsin. It would be unreasonable to expect too much from Prince Yadav and Akash Singh in a big tournament like IPL.

Norkhia bowled well in the South African T20 League (SA20) earlier this year. He finished second in terms of taking most wickets in SA20 2025/26. He took 18 wickets in 11 innings with an economy of 7. This fast bowler got to play only 2 matches in the T20 World Cup 2026. Norkhia’s place could not be made due to Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. Although he will definitely be a part of LSG’s first choice playing-XII, he will need support from the other end. LSG has high expectations from Shami. If he does not lead from the other end, then LSG will be greatly missing another foreign pacer.

How is spin attack?

It is not clear whether Vanindu Hasaranga will be available for the entire season or whether he will play only a few matches. In his absence, Digvesh Rathi will once again lead the spin department. Apart from this, LSG also has left arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed, who can score valuable runs by coming in the lower order. There is also an option for M Siddharth. Overall, LSG’s spin attack is slightly better than the pace attack but this bowling line-up does not assure winning the trophy. If LSG will progress in the tournament, it will be on the strength of its batsmen!

Lucknow Super Giants Schedule

• Vs – DC, 1 April, Lucknow


• vs – SRH, April 5, Hyderabad


• vs – KKR, 9 April, Kolkata


• Vs – GT, 12 April, Lucknow

Full squad of Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant (captain), Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Digvesh Rathi, Matthew Britzke, Himmat Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Prince Yadav, M Siddharth, Akash Singh, Arjun Tendulkar, Josh Inglis, Mukul Chaudhary, Akshat Raghuvanshi, Enrique Norkhia, Wanindu Hasaranga, Naman Tiwari