Ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have actively sought to reinforce their squad at the recent mini-auction. While the franchise has made significant strides in strengthening its bowling arsenal, prominent cricket analysts have raised persistent concerns about the team's batting depth, particularly in the crucial lower middle-order positions.
Expert Analysis Highlights Persistent Batting Worries
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra, speaking on JioCinema, acknowledged LSG's powerful top order from the previous season but pointed to a glaring weakness. "The real issue has been the lower order; at five, six, and seven, players like David Miller couldn't consistently deliver last season," Chopra stated. He highlighted the rare feat of having three of the top four batsmen score over 500 runs, yet the team's finishing capabilities remained a problem.
Chopra noted that while the team has kept skipper Rishabh Pant at number three, the overall batting order composition still poses questions. He emphasized that the core issue of lower-order firepower does not appear to have been fully resolved despite the auction activities.
Bowling Department Receives Major Upgrade
On the positive side, analysts agree that LSG's bowling resources have seen a substantial upgrade. Chopra listed the new and existing options, including the high-profile acquisition of Sri Lankan spin maestro Wanindu Hasaranga, the experienced Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, and the retained talents of Avesh Khan and Mayank Yadav. The squad also includes younger prospects like Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, and Arjun Tendulkar.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan concurred, calling the fast-bowling unit "formidable" provided the key players maintain fitness. He specifically highlighted the signing of Hasaranga as a "big benefit," suggesting it addresses a gap where captain Pant seemed to lack trust in spinner Ravi Bishnoi last season. Pathan termed Hasaranga, bought for Rs. 2 crore, a solid and cost-effective addition to the lineup.
Calls for More Top-Class Batters in the Squad
Despite the bowling boost, Pathan expressed reservations about the batting unit's robustness. He pointed out that with batsmen like Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad, the team could have benefited from adding another top-class batter. "I was hoping for someone like (Liam) Livingstone. Overall, there's still a need for at least five more high-quality batsmen in the squad," Pathan noted, indicating a perceived shortfall in batting reserves.
Another decision that came under scrutiny was LSG's purchase of Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis for a hefty Rs. 8.6 crore. Former opener Abhinav Mukund questioned the logic, especially given Inglis's likely limited availability due to international commitments. Mukund argued that even if available for the full season, Inglis might not find a place in the starting eleven, making the investment seem questionable.
In summary, the Lucknow Super Giants enter the IPL 2026 build-up with a visibly reinforced bowling attack that experts believe can be a major threat. However, the consensus among seasoned observers is that the team's prospects could be hampered unless they find consistent and powerful performers for the lower middle order, a puzzle that the auction appears to have left only partially solved.
