For the second running year, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) failed to make it to the second round of an IPL season. The Rishabh Pant-led side finished seventh in the IPL 2025 points table.
The Lucknow-based franchise won 6 out of 14 matches in the tournament. LSG have already made a big change in their backroom staff ahead of the IPL 2026 in action and parted ways with Zaheer Khan. They have appointed Kane Williamson as their strategic advisor.
The franchise would now be gearing up for the auction, likely to take place in December. Will LSG release Rishabh Pant and appoint a new captain? And how many players will LSG release in total? Here, we predict complete changes in Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2026 –
Rishabh Pant to stay?
Rishabh Pant created history at the IPL 2025 mega-auction by joining LSG for Rs 27 crore. He is the highest-paid player in IPL’s history. Pant failed to live up to the expectations and only managed to score 269 runs in 13 innings from 14 matches. He only managed one century in the season.
Pant’s struggles with the bat was among the reasons behind LSG struggling in IPL 2025. Despite Pant’s below-par form and hefty price tag of Rs 27 crore, he is likely to continue as LSG’s captain.
He is one of the biggest faces in Indian cricket and a marquee player. Pant has already shown how dangerous he can be when he gets going. Plus, he is one of the most recognised players around the globe and a marketable player for the franchise.
Who will LSG release?
LSG could release the likes of Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur. LSG spent a huge sum of Rs 8 crore on Akash but he managed 3 wickets in the six matches he played. The right-arm pacer bowled with an economy rate of 12.05.
LSG might have to release Shardul Thakur. He replaced Mosin Khan, who was ruled out of the season due to an injury. LSG might not be able to retain Shardul if the left-arm pacer returns for next season.