IPL 2026 Best Possible Playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Given Rishabh Pant as the leader, find out the full squad list and best predicted playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2026.
Runner-up in 2022 and 2023, but unable to qualify for Playoffs in 2024 and 2025. That’s how the journey of Lucknow Super Giants have been since their debut in 2022. After a Mega Auction in 2025, things are again looking murkier for the Lucknowi Nawabs, and they are looking for redemption under the leadership of Rishabh Pant. Pant, who is the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League, not only has a big task to revive the team, but also his own IPL form.
The Lucknow Super Giants team in 2026 boasts some of the most belligerent batters in the tournament. They are quite unique in the way their squad composition has been designed. They are the only team that can afford to play all 4 Overseas batters at once, and also have a complete Indian bowling lineup. No other IPL team in the tournament has this flexibility. But is that a boon or a bane?
Again, the main question is, does the Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants have a title-winning squad? Well, it’s a very difficult question to ask given their recent performance. But we will look in detail at the complete squad analysis, and the strongest playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Before that, let’s quickly go through the LSG squad for IPL 2026.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Complete Squad List for IPL 2026 Post Auction
Batters
- Aiden Markram (OS)
- Ayush Badoni
- Himmat Singh
- Matthew Breetzke (OS)
- Akshat Raghuvanshi (OS)
WKs
- Nicholas Pooran (OS)
- Rishabh Pant
- Mukul Choudhary
- Josh Inglis (OS)
All-rounders
- Abdul Samad
- Arjun Tendulkar
- Arshin Kulkarni
- Mitchell Marsh (OS)
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Wanindu Hasaranga (OS)
Bowlers
- Akash Singh
- Avesh Khan
- Digvesh Rathi,
- Mohammed Shami
- Prince Yadav
- M Siddharth
- Mayank Yadav
- Mohsin Khan
- Anrich Nortje (OS)
- Naman Tiwari
LSG Best Playing 11 IPL 2026 Analyzed
Well, we can approach the playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants in two possible ways. One is where they play all Overseas batters, and the second is where they play 3 Overseas batters, and ONE Overseas bowler or AR. These are the ideal two ways in which LSG may approach their playing 11 combination for IPL 2026. However, irrespective of the optional play, the opening combination for LSG should remain constant, and that’s a strong batting duo of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh.
Both had a successful 2025, as they dominated the charts with their consistent and belligerent batting. With a set opening combination, even the middle order looks set, with Nicholas Pooran at 3 and Rishabh Pant at 4. While Pooran was breathing fire last year, with more than 500 runs, and a strike rate above 180, Pant had a mediocre year as a batter, having failed to make any impression, either as a batter or as a Captain. However, LSG should persist with the same top 4 for IPL 2026.
With a settled top 4, the number 5 position is where optionality might kick in for the LSG team. Since the LSG team has 3 solid Overseas batters already in the top 4, they also have the flexibility to play another strong batter in the form of Josh Inglis. Inglis’ addition was a bonus for the LSG team, but since Inglis may be available only for a match, he should ideally play at 5, when he is available – thus giving the LSG team a strong top 5; probably the best in the IPL.
Josh Inglis vs Wanindu Hasaranga for 4th Overseas Spot
If Inglis doesn’t play at 5, LSG can then opt to play Wanindu Hasaranga as their fourth Overseas player. Hasaranga is a wily fox, and can be a good number 8 candidate for the team. If Lucknow Super Giants decide to play Wanindu Hasaranga, they can then play Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad at 5 and 6, respectively. If not, Badoni and Samad should play at 6 and 7 if Josh Inglis plays. However, it is clearly visible that Hasaranga plays, the LSG lower order looks feeble. The team will also see a useful contribution down the order from Shahbaz Ahmed.
Now, coming to the bowling lineup, LSG will once again have to depend on their Indian contingent. Mohammed Shami, who was traded from SRH, should lead the pace bowling for the team, and he should have support from Avesh Khan and Mayank Yadav, if he is fit. If Mayank isn’t available, LSG may opt for Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, and Akash Singh in order. With pace bowling sorted, the spin bowling should be taken care of by Digvesh Rathi, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Wanindu Hasaranga, if he is played above Inglis.
IPL 2026 Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Best Predicted Playing 11
- Mitchell Marsh
- Aiden Markram
- Nicholas Pooran
- Rishabh Pant (c&wk)
- Josh Inglis / Wanindu Hasaranga
- Ayush Badoni
- Abdul Samad
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Digvesh Rathi
- Avesh Khan
- Mohammed Shami
- Mayank Yadav (Impact Player)
So, that’s about the strong playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2026. Overall, whatever combination the LSG team plays, they will lack one or the other thing. If they play Inglis, they will lack a good fifth bowler. Whereas if they play Hasaranga, their fifth bowler is sorted, but they will face issues with the lack of batting depth, and a fragile lower order. Given their team combination, it might once again be a painful year for the LSG team. The bowling lineup is still full, and it is their batting lineup that they will have to take up most of their responsibility.
Thanks for reading! What’s your strongest playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2026? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com, or in the comments section below.
