One of the newest franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) made a remarkable debut by qualifying for the playoffs in their first two seasons (2022 and 2023). However, the 2024 season proved to be a challenging one as they finished seventh in the standings with 14 points, narrowly missing out on the playoffs due to an inferior net run rate.
Determined to bounce back stronger, LSG made significant changes to their squad ahead of the 2025 season.
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Bold moves and new leadership
Despite retaining five core players from the previous campaign, LSG made a high-profile decision to part ways with their former captain KL Rahul, who moved to Delhi Capitals. In an ambitious move to rebuild the squad, LSG went all out to acquire star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, breaking the league record with a staggering Rs 27 crore bid. Following his arrival, Pant was appointed as the new captain of the Lucknow-based franchise.
Apart from Pant, LSG made several strategic additions to bolster their batting line-up, securing experienced internationals like David Miller, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. They also retained key players including Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan. This mix of retained and newly acquired talents provides a solid foundation while enhancing their firepower.
The SWOT analysis
Strengths
- Power-packed batting line-up: With Rishabh Pant at the helm, LSG’s batting unit looks formidable. The presence of power hitters like Nicholas Pooran, David Miller and Mitchell Marsh ensures plenty of firepower in the middle and death overs. Aiden Markram’s ability to anchor the innings adds further depth to the line-up.
- Versatile all-round options: The inclusion of all-rounders like Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram provides balance to the squad. Shahbaz Ahmed adds a valuable spin-bowling option while contributing with the bat.
- Spin depth: Ravi Bishnoi remains a vital cog with his effective leg spin, while Shahbaz Ahmed complements him with left-arm orthodox. The combination offers LSG a balanced spin attack on subcontinental pitches.
Weaknesses
- Fragile pace attack: LSG’s fast-bowling unit appears vulnerable with injury concerns. Key pacers Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav are either recovering from injuries or yet to join the squad. This makes the pace department relatively inexperienced and susceptible to pressure.
- Dependency on top order: With big-hitting names like Pant and Pooran at the top, any early wickets might expose a slightly inconsistent middle order, particularly if Mitchell Marsh or David Miller fail to fire.
Opportunities
- Pant’s captaincy and aggression: Rishabh Pant’s fearless approach as captain could inject fresh energy into the squad, motivating players to perform at their peak.
- Emerging talents: Players like Ayush Badoni and Shemar Joseph have the chance to cement their spots by showcasing consistent performances.
Threats
- Injury concerns: With four of their main pacers dealing with fitness issues, LSG’s bowling balance might be severely impacted.
- Pressure on Pant: Taking over as captain after a tough season and commanding a record salary could add pressure on Pant, affecting his performance.
LSG’s Best XI for IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant (Captain/wk), Aiden Markram, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Shemar Joseph, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Deep, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav
LSG Squad Overview
- Batters: Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Matthew Breetzke, David Miller
- Wicket-keepers: Rishabh Pant (Captain), Aryan Juyal, Nicholas Pooran
- All-rounders: Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Shahbaz Ahmed
- Bowlers: Akash Deep, Akash Singh, Avesh Khan, Shemar Joseph, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Manimaran Siddarth, Mayank Yadav
With Rishabh Pant at the helm and an aggressive batting unit at their disposal, LSG aim to put the disappointment of the previous season behind them and emerge as strong contenders for the IPL 2025 title. However, the bowling unit’s fitness remains a concern, and the success of their campaign will heavily depend on their pacers’ availability and form.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.
