IPL: Predicting LSG's strongest playing XI

Since joining the IPL in 2022, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have performed well, reaching the playoffs in their first two seasons. However, they struggled in 2024, finishing seventh, leading to a major squad revamp. The franchise decided not to retain or buy KL Rahul, their former captain for the next season.

Before the 2025 IPL mega auction, LSG retained only five players: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Ayush Badoni. Their biggest signing at the auction was Rishabh Pant, who joined for a record-breaking ₹27 crore, making him the highest-paid player in IPL history.

The franchise has also named him the new skipper, and under his leadership, a new era is set to begin for this franchise. With a fresh squad of 24 players, LSG aims to return to the playoffs and compete for their first title. 

A key challenge will be finding the best opening pair, with Pant, Aiden Markram, or Mitchell Marsh likely to partner young Arshin Kulkarni. Pant could also play at number three or four, depending on the strategy.

Mitchell Marsh missed the recent Champions Trophy campaign for Australia due to lower back pain and dysfunction. But he is expected to be fully fit and available for the upcoming edition of the tournament. Nicholas Pooran remains the team’s most consistent batter, while David Miller brings finishing power in the lower middle order. 

Recently, in the Champions Trophy semi-final vs New Zealand, Miller smashed an unbeaten century off 67 balls. Pooran is undoubtedly one of the most destructive batters when it comes to the shortest format of the game in the world. The Indian bowling unit is a major strength, featuring Shahbaz Ahmed as a spin all-rounder and Ravi Bishnoi leading the spin attack.

In the pace department, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Avesh Khan offer quality options. Mayank, who impressed last season with his raw pace, will be crucial, though his fitness remains a concern. Ayush Badoni, another retained player, adds flexibility and could be used as a floating batter in the lineup. 

Here is the predicted LSG's strongest playing XI

Arshin Kulkarni, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (c and wk), Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Moshin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan.

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