“Muskuraiye, aap Lucknow mein hain” (Smile, you’re in Lucknow). But that won’t be the only reason to smile—Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have assembled a stellar batting lineup for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. With the likes of new captain Rishabh Pant, David Miller, and Nicholas Pooran in their ranks; each of these players has the ability to light up the skies at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.
Three years into the IPL, LSG have already secured two playoff appearances and one seventh-place finish—despite finishing level on points with fourth-placed Royal Challengers Bangalore last season. This year, they have made some bold calls. The franchise brought in Pant from Delhi for ₹27 crore to lead the side, making him pivotal to their success.
Meanwhile, LSG parted ways with their former captain, KL Rahul, while retaining five key players: Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Ravi Bishnoi. The team’s bowling department has a strong Indian core, allowing them to field foreign specialist batters and all-rounders.
Let’s take a look at their strengths, weaknesses, and key takeaways for the 2025 season.
LSG IPL 2025 Squad
Rishabh Pant (C & WK), David Miller, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Avesh Khan, Abdul Samad, Aryan Juyal, Akash Deep, Himmat Singh, M. Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Singh, Shamar Joseph, Prince Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Matthew Breetzke.
Strengths
LSG might be wafer thin on Indian batters, but their foreign recruits more than compensate for this.
Starting with their new captain, Pant—an incandescent talent—who has been candid about his desire to open the batting. While his white-ball numbers may not match his red-ball success, he averaged 40.55 with a strike rate of 155 in last season’s IPL. Mind you, this was while he was still recovering from a life-threatening car accident, just 15-months back.
However, after falling out of India’s T20I side due to a disappointing T20 World Cup (where he batted at No. 3), Pant has a point to prove.
The top order also boasts of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, the latter cleared to play this season only as a specialist batter. There’s also Matthew Breetzke, who might serve as a backup option. However, his numbers in the recent SA20—averaging 16 with a strike rate of 103—haven’t been the most encouraging.
The middle order will be anchored by Nicholas Pooran, who had a phenomenal 2024 as a T20 batter. In 74 innings, he amassed 2,331 runs at an average of 41 with a strike rate of 157.39, smashing 160 fours and 170 sixes along the way.
Following him, LSG have the experience of Miller, along with Ayush Badoni and Shahbaz Ahmed or Abdul Samad for power-hitting in the lower middle order.
LSG’s Indian bowling attack is one of their biggest assets, featuring Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Arshin Kulkarni, and Akash Singh. The spin department is led by Ravi Bishnoi, with support from M. Siddharth and Shahbaz Ahmed.
Weaknesses
One of LSG’s biggest concerns is the lack of quality frontline spinners apart from Ravi Bishnoi. This could be a serious issue, especially on the spin-friendly tracks at Ekana Cricket Stadium, where bowlers benefit from additional grip.
Shahbaz had a strong 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) with the bat, but his bowling numbers weren’t as impressive—7 wickets at an average of 30 and an economy of over 7.5.
M. Siddharth is also relatively inexperienced. He played just two games in SMAT 2024, picking up two wickets with an economy of under 4, along with three IPL matches last season. However, if the Lucknow pitch slows down, he could play a key role as an impact sub.
Additionally they are likely to be without their three frontline pacers in Mayank, Mohsin and Avesh for the opener. This means they will have to opt for West Indian Shamar Joseph, leading to one overseas batter less, and Akash Deep for the opener against Delhi Capitals.
Opportunities
With power-hitters like Miller, Pooran, Marsh, and Pant, LSG should be able to address their previous struggles in run chases—provided these players maintain their form.
This firepower also allows them to post big totals, even at their home ground, where the average first-innings score is around 165. Notably, many of their key batters are also proficient against spin.
Most importantly, their strong Indian pace battery gives them the flexibility to field more overseas batters, helping the team achieve balance. But it hugely depend on their fitness and availability.
Threats
The biggest threat to LSG this season is injury concerns. Several key players, including Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Mitchell Marsh, have a history of fitness issues. Marsh has already ruled himself out as an all-rounder due to a lingering back injury. Mayank might not be available for the entire of the first-half of the tournament.
Another concern is their lack of depth in the spin department, which could hurt them on slow pitches.
Additionally, LSG have struggled with their opening partnership over the past few seasons. Since 2022, they have recorded the lowest opening partnership run rate (8.36) among all teams. Resolving this issue early in the season will be crucial.
Final Thoughts
LSG look well-balanced with their power-hitters and strong Indian pace attack, but their lack of depth—particularly in spin and injury replacements—could pose challenges. It could be a tough season for Pant’s captaincy debut with LSG if they don’t find a way to compensate for their potent weaknesses.
Probable XI
Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (C & Wk), Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Shabaz Ahamed, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan*, Mayank Yadav*, Mohsin Khan*.
Impact sub – Abdul Samad/M Siddharth.
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