The Lucknow Super Giants franchise, after finishing seventh in a mixed 2025 season, is choosing a path of gradual rebuilding rather than a total revamping of the team. The management is aware that stability is a necessary condition, but also that it is imperative to address the obvious gaps the team has shown during the season.
Their strategy for IPL 2026 revolves around preserving a core of players and utilizing that as a platform to expand before entering the mini-auction. They want to intermix already established overseas match-winners, up-and-coming Indian talents, and a stronger bowling unit so that LSG will be in the playoffs fight. You can find below the list of players that LSG might keep before the auction.
Players LSG Will Retain Before IPL 2026 Auction
| Player Name | Role |
| Rishabh Pant (C) | Wicket-Keeper Batter |
| Nicholas Pooran | Wicket-Keeper Batter |
| Aiden Markram | Batter |
| Ayush Badoni | All-Rounder |
| Mitchell Marsh | All-Rounder |
| Abdul Samad | All-Rounder |
| Shardul Thakur | All-Rounder |
| Akash Singh | Bowler |
| M. Siddharth | Bowler |
| Akash Deep | Bowler |
| Avesh Khan | Bowler |
| Digvesh Rathi | Bowler |
Also read: IPL 2026 Retention: List of players CSK likely to retain for the upcoming season
1. Rishabh Pant (Captain & Wicket-Keeper Batter)
- Games Played:-14
- Runs Made:- 269
Pant, who had a fairly inconsistent season in 2025 with 269 runs in 14 games, continues to be the captain and an essential part of LSG’s vision. His capacity to influence a match by just one over and his role as a wicketkeeper ensure he is worth twice as much. LSG expects his captaincy to shine with the better team support that’s in store for 2026.
2. Nicholas Pooran (Wicket-Keeper Batter)
- Games Played:-14
- Runs Made:- 524
Pooran’s firepower with bat and depth for wicket-keeping give half of LSG’s retention value. His knack for finishing matches, batting in any position and doing multiple roles make him a perfect draw for LSG.
3. Aiden Markram (Batter)
- Games Played:-13
- Runs Made:- 445
Markram is class, experience, and stability at the top or middle of the order. His skill with spin and playing in difficult conditions makes him the most prudent of all retention candidates for LSG.
4. Ayush Badoni (All-Rounder)
- Games Played:-14
- Runs Made:- 329
The young Indian player has impressed with both bat and ball. The retention of him gives LSG the flexibility and depth in the squad that is often required in T20 tournaments.
5. Mitchell Marsh (All-Rounder)
- Games Played:-13
- Runs Made:- 627
What Marsh brings is the ability to win games through sheer power, useful bowling, and experience. By retaining him, LSG is not only signaling the intent to rebuild but also to compete at the pinnacle.
6. Abdul Samad (All-Rounder)
- Games Played:-13
- Runs Made:- 164
Samad may be in the process of maturity but his power-hitting during the last overs and his off-spin together give the LSG a twin asset. Keeping him is a gamble that relies on development and promise.
7. Avesh Khan (Bowler)
- Games Played:-13
- Wickets Taken:- 13
Avesh Khan is bolstering the pace department at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) with the perfect combination of quick bowling and stress-free execution of yorkers. He was instrumental in the team’s success during the 2025 season with a match-winning spell of 3 for 37, where he also defended 9 runs in the final over against Rajasthan Royals, thereby proving his worth in critical situations.
His diligent approach of “execution over outcome” for yorkers has clearly marked him out as different. During the planning of LSG’s 2026 squad, keeping Avesh not only gives them a reliable Indian fast-bowling option but also one that already flourishes in challenging situations and has possibilities of further growth.
8. Akash Singh (Bowler)
- Games Played:-3
- Wickets Taken:- 2
Akash Singh has a long-term future as a pace option. The retention of young bowlers is part of LSG’s strategy so that they are not exclusively dependent on foreign players.
9. M. Siddharth (Bowler)
- Games Played:-2
- Wickets Taken:- 2
The left-arm spinner is a source of variety and added depth. His retention indicates that LSG is looking for more control during the middle overs and is considering a change-of-angle bowling option.
10. Akash Deep (Bowler)
- Games Played:-6
- Wickets Taken:- 3
Deep’s fast enhancement and diverse bowling skills turn him into a winning bet for a team that seeks to have Indian fast bowlers of good quality at all times. So there’s most chances the he could be retained
11. Shardul Thakur (All-Rounder)
- Games Played:-10
- Wickets Taken:- 12
Shardul Thakur remains a valuable asset for Lucknow Super Giants by virtue of his ability to bowl and bat both under high pressure and in the most difficult phases of the game. In IPL 2025, he played a decisive role in the overall strength of LSG’s squad, taking 12 wickets in 13 matches and also making vital runs when batting at the lower order.
He has the talent of breaking partnerships and handling pressure situations which leads to him being a reliable bowler in the middle overs. Shardul is the type of batter whose quick scoring sometimes even brings the innings to a climax. LSG might intend to keep him for his experience, adaptability, and the all-round balance he brings to the team in the upcoming IPL 2026.
Why These Retentions Make Sense
It is a smart thing for LSG to select a core group of five that contains a mixture of experience (Pant, Pooran) and youth (Bishnoi, Mayank, Mohsin). The latter allows LSG to have a steady flow of leadership and overseas batting while at the same time keeping the Indian talent pipeline strong.
By letting go of some players who performed inconsistently, LSG not only save their funds but also can invest in quality players—especially in the areas of middle-order batting and bowling for death overs—that obstructed their path in 2025.
Final Thoughts: LSG’s Core for IPL 2026
The retention plan of Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2026 is a mixture of the present stronghold and the future vision. With Rishabh Pant as the core, an energetic young fast and spin battery, and a well-balanced foreign pack, LSG seem to be the ones who can create the challenge at the top again.
Written By:- Manjunath S