IPL Indian Premier League 2026: It’s time for the next edition of India’s cash-rich T20 league and all attention is on team compositions. In between all the retention and release, things have been interesting for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). This piece provides a comprehensive, lucid breakdown of LSG’s (retained and released) players for IPL 2026 — as well as analysis on what it means for the franchise in the season(s) to come.
Why the Retained & Released List Matters
Ahead of the IPL auction (or mini-auction) every season, franchises need to release and list the players they have chosen to retain. This list is crucial because:
- It is a seed that represents the core squad the organization wants to build around.
- It gives you some (purse) on the auction so you can get new players that fits your strategy.
- It exposes the franchise’s preference — do they want to invest in young talent, depend on experienced players or rebuild certain departments (batting, bowling, all-rounders).
The 2026 list indicates a clear objective for LSG: address batting depth, support in-house talent and add spice to its bowling with quality pace variations.
LSG’s Retained Players for IPL 2026
Here is the full list of players retained by LSG ahead of 2026, based on official announcements.
| Player | Role / Notes |
|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant (C) | Wicket-keeper batter — captain retained for leadership & experience. |
| Nicholas Pooran | Wicket-keeper batter — remained key overseas batter. |
| Ayush Badoni | Batter / all-rounder — young Indian talent retained for batting depth. |
| Abdul Samad | All-rounder / finisher — retained for big-hitting potential at death overs. |
| Aiden Markram | Batter / all-rounder — overseas option retained for balance. |
| Mitchell Marsh | All-rounder — overseas all-rounder retained for lower middle order stability and bowling backup. |
| Matthew Breetzke | Batter — retained as potential middle-order backup. |
| Himmat Singh | Batter / bench option — retained to add squad depth. |
| Shahbaz Ahmed | All-rounder — retained to add flexibility in batting and bowling. |
| Arshin Kulkarni | All-rounder / lower-order batting option — retained as backup. |
| Mayank Yadav | Fast Bowler — retained to maintain pace attack potency. |
| Avesh Khan | Fast Bowler — retained to strengthen bowling with experienced Indian pace. |
| Mohsin Khan | Bowler — retained to maintain domestic bowling depth. |
| M. Siddharth | Bowler / backup — retained as part of bowling reserves. |
| Digvesh Rathi | Bowler — retained after showing promise; leading among bowlers in previous season for LSG in terms of wickets. |
| Prince Yadav | Bowler / young prospect — retained to keep squad balance and future potential. |
| Akash Singh | Bowler — retained as part of bowling support and future planning. |
| Traded-in: Mohammed Shami | Senior fast bowler — acquired from another franchise to add experience and strike-up pace attack. |
| Traded-in: Arjun Tendulkar | Left-arm bowling option (from another team) to provide bowling variety. |
This core will make the base for LSG’s IPL 2026.
LSG now reportedly have INR 22.95 crore left in the kitty for the auction after these retentions and trades.
Players Released by LSG for IPL 2026
Every team casts off some players in order to clear budget space, or remake the squad. Below are the names LSG issued before 2026.
Released players list:
- David Miller — batter (overseas)
- Aryan Juyal- wicket meeper / top order batsman (young Indian)
- Yuvraj Chaudhary – all rounder /Young Indian talented prospect
- Rajvardhan Hangargekar – all-rounder \/ young Indian prospect
- Ravi Bishnoi – bowler (leg spin)
- Akash Deep — quick bowler / pace all-rounder
- Shamar Joseph — bowler (abroad/ tempo)
Additionally, there was a trade involving:
- Shardul Thakur — traded out to another franchise (so effectively released by LSG).
These moves indicate that LSG is attempting to shed the space – in both purse and squad composition – for a core they are looking at, and to potentially make new signings, particularly of bowlers and finishers, during the next auction.
What Does This Mean for LSG’s Strategy in IPL 2026?
Three major conclusions can be drawn from our list kept and confirmed list released, as to LSG’s vision of what he believes is important.
1. Backing a Core of Balanced Talent + Youth
LSG have also been able to pick up a blend of experienced players with proven performers and Indian youth. Good players like captain Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Abdul Samad indicate that the franchise wants to maintain a steady core even as it wants keep its options open.
Similarly, keeping hold of young Indian players like Ayush Badoni, Mayank Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav and Akash Singh is a sign that LSG isn’t just thinking about the present — they are in this for the long haul too as it attempts to strike a balance between competitiveness now with excellence further down the line.
2. Strengthening Bowling — Especially Pace
The swap of senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami and retaining other Indian pickings in the form of Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Digvesh Rathi indicates a serious push to fortify the bowling line-up. As LSG in previous seasons wasn’t part of the top wicket-taker with bowling performances, the focus on pace may be intended for a balanced performing unit from its bowlers.
3. Releasing some older or under-performing overseas / spin / backup players
By releasing names such as David Miller (overseas batter), Ravi Bishnoi (leg spinner), Akash Deep and Shamar Joseph (pace/spin) — LSG seems to be showing the door to those who have not been consistent, or whose role does not match with new strategy. It opens up the budget and a slot for LSG to go after better fits in the next auction.
4. Maintaining Balance but Keeping Auction Options Open
LSG has a decent amount of flexibility remaining at the auction, with a purse value INR 22.95 crores. They could aim to select quality bowlers, or finishers or back-up batsmen depending on what’s available in the market. The blend of players they have retained indicates LSG do not intend to over-invest in a department.
Overall – LSG’s 2026 retention & release strategy seems well thought out and one that seeks balance, youth and much needed bowling support.
Notable Stories & Spotlight from the List
A number of names and moves jump out from LSG’s 2026 edition — here are some of the top highlings:
- Rishabh Pant’s Captaincy Retained — Trust in Leadership: LSG had a season with ups and downs in 2025 but still persisted with Rishabh Pant as captain & wicket-keeper batter. This speaks to the faith in both his leadership and delivering high-leverage innings that the franchise has in him.
- Mohammed Shami Trade-in — Major Boost to Pace Attack: Getting Mohammed Shami (from another franchise) bolsters the side with a world-class new ball bowler who has done well in all three formats. This might be vital in the powerplay and death overs by 2026.
- OUT: David Miller – Overseas Finisher slot now Empty: Releasing the front-footed and big-hitting finisher, leaves vacant a overseas batter position. That means LSG might look to pick up a fresher, more in-form finisher during the auction.
- Spin Department Shuffled — Release of Ravi Bishnoi: The release of the 21-year-old might suggest LSG wants to re-imagine its spin strategy (probably rely more on batting depth or get a different sort of spinner in auction).
- Youth + Experience Mix — Smart Squad Planning Mixing up home grown budding stars and cream of international circuit gives LSG both future looking and present looking approach for their team’s makeup: 1. That could still pay off if youngsters such as Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav are given consistent opportunities.
What Fans & Analysts Expect from LSG in IPL 2026
Looking at this reshuffled squad, there are certain expectations from fans and cricket analysts of what LSG can offer in 2026:
- Better Bowling Performances: With a better pace attack (Shami, Yadav, Avesh, etc.), LSG can presumably produce potent and threatening spells — something which might result in an overall improved bowling show as well including powerplay.
- Balanced Batting Down The Order: Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Markram, Marsh, Samad, Breetzke or Ayush Badoni — LSG boasts of a deep batting at the death overs with batsmen capable to both tonk and hold an end together – which is likely to come in handy for both runs on the board and run chases.
- Varying Combinations for the Team: The blend of young Indian players, all-rounders and overseas stars offer LSG a chance to employ various combinations according to match condition, opposition and pitch.
- Opportunity for Young Talents to Blossom: Players like Ayush Badoni, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh — may find themselves in more games. If they play well, they might become foundational pieces for LSG in the years ahead.
However — much will come down to form, fitness and team management decisions (who plays when, how the bowling-attack is rotated) being made.
Potential Weaknesses & What LSG Must Watch Out For
Although the new list looks promising it may struggle in some places:
- Thin Spin Department: With the release of a spinner in Bishnoi, LSG spin depth is marred. Spin bowling may be a worry unless they buy a quality spinner at auction – especially on spin-friendly Indian pitches.
- Foreign Slots & Balance: It will be the key to balance the foreign and Indian players. Dependence on foreign all-rounders may hurt team composition in big games.
- Replying a little late but, Deferring to Young/Unproven Players: It’s well and good for younger players to be involved in any given series, although it does carry implications when high-profile matches appear on the menu (AKA, postseason). There is a fine line in which LSG must walk to control for such risk.
- Need for Finisher / Death Over Specialist: With David Miller gone, a solid finisher or death over specialist (Batsmankins Perera comes in and out) will be important during auctions — else LSG might find tough to win close chase games or defend 190+ score.
What Might Happen in the Auction: LSG’s Likely Targets
With close to INR 22.95 crore left in the purse, LSG is expected to go for:
- A decent spin bowler to accompany seam attack – ideally a batting option too (all-rounder).
- A big hitter – either domestic or overseas – to fill David Miller’s boots in the death overs.
- Back-up batsmen and quicks — to give the team depth of squad and cover for injuries.
- Backup keeper-batter (if needed) — but it is not a priority with Pant and Pooran still around.
And if they can have their ducks in a fancy little row, LSG could end up being one of the more balanced and competitive teams come IPL 2026.
Conclusion
The “LSG Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026” is an indication of the plan in place by Lucknow Super Giants. With a good mix between experienced and young players, LSG seems to have their bases well set for a competitive season by strengthening their pace bowling while freeing up purse ahead of auctions.
There are still a few issues: Depth on the spin, finish options and being consistent when things get pressure-packed. But if LSG do spend a good part of their auction purse judiciously and give opportunities to the youngsters, they could form a strong side which can compete for the title.
For the fans, 2026 looks exciting. And with a refreshed bowling unit and a top order that can attack or rebuild, along with some solid experienced heads among young shoulders — LSG appear ready to demonstrate they’re not the same team they were in their early days. Time will be the judge if this team will fulfill expectations. Meanwhile — for fans of cricket, keep an eye on IPL 2026.
