IPL 2025: 3 LSG players who might be benched for the whole season

Uncover the Lucknow Super Giants players who might be benched for the entire IPL 2025 season. Gain insights into team strategy, player performance, and squad depth.

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Shamar Joseph

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) had a challenging 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign, finishing seventh in the standings. With KL Rahul no longer part of the squad, LSG is looking to make a strong comeback in IPL 2025 under a new captain. The franchise has assembled a 24-member squad, retaining five core players. 

However, LSG made headlines by breaking the bank for Rishabh Pant, signing him for a record ₹27 crore, the highest-ever amount in IPL history. 

Despite this, their captain for the upcoming season is still undecided. But, some players might struggle to break into the playing XI and could go the entire season without getting a single game. 

Here are the LSG players who might be benched for the whole IPL 2025 season

1. Abdul Samad

This Indian all-rounder from Jammu and Kashmir, Abdul Samad, has featured in 50 IPL matches since 2020 but is yet to prove himself as a dependable option. For IPL 2025, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) acquired him for ₹4.20 crore. 

However, given the team dynamics and competition, he might remain on the bench throughout the season, as his inclusion may not significantly enhance the squad’s balance compared to other available players.

In his IPL career, Samad has scored 577 runs at an average of 19.23 and an impressive strike rate of 146.08. Known for his power-hitting abilities, he was often assigned the finisher role for his teams. 

However, his bowling contributions have declined, with no overs bowled in the IPL since the 2022 season. Last year, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he managed only 182 runs in 16 matches at an average of 18.20 but maintained a striking strike rate of 168.52. 

2. Shamar Joseph

In the previous IPL season, Shamar Joseph was brought in by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a replacement for England pacer Mark Wood, who pulled out of the tournament. The West Indies speedster joined the team for ₹3 crore but, in the recent auction, LSG managed to reacquire him for just ₹75 lakh.

For IPL 2025, LSG might opt for an all-Indian bowling lineup in their playing XI, leveraging the depth of domestic pacers and spinners in their squad. Joseph is known for his raw pace, which can trouble batters when he maintains the right line and length. However, his performance last season was underwhelming. 

Last year, he played just one match, conceding 47 runs in four overs without taking a wicket. Meanwhile, young Indian pacer Mayank Yadav emerged as a promising option for LSG with his own raw pace, adding to the competition within the squad.

3. Akash Deep

This Indian pacer, Akash Deep, might find it challenging to secure game time for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) throughout the season. Despite this, LSG paid a significant ₹8 crore at the auction to acquire him. However, with the need for variety in the playing XI and other strong options available, his inclusion seems unlikely.

Since 2022, Akash has featured in just eight IPL matches, taking seven wickets at an expensive economy rate of 11.67. While he has shown the ability to swing the bat effectively in domestic cricket and even in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his primary role as a bowler may not be enough to guarantee him a spot in LSG’s lineup.

The competition will likely be between Akash and Avesh Khan, as both are skiddy pacers who rely on hitting the deck hard. In the last IPL season, Akash played just one match for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where he conceded 55 runs and picked up a solitary wicket.

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