IPL 2025: 3 LSG players who might be benched for the whole season

The Lucknow Super Giants built a rather credible roster over the years, making big moves in the IPL auctions. Their major trade, which has generated lots of chatter, is the acquisition of perhaps the costliest player in IPL history: Rishabh Pant. 

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The composition of the team for IPL 2025 goes to show that some players might hardly be in a position to be accommodated in the playing XI. Despite a heavily India-concentrated bowling attack and solid middle order, the batting resources of uncapped players may create problems during key matches for LSG.

Let us take a careful look at the three players: Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Matthew Breetzke, and Arshin Kulkarni, who might have to watch the IPL matches from the bench.

1. Rajvardhan Hangargekar

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As far as young Indian cricketers go, Rajvardhan Hangargekar surely is one of the few most promising talents in domestic cricket. This bowling all-rounder has already started making stunning displays, capable of turning matches first with the ball and then with the bat. He's taken 41 wickets in 24 List-A matches, which is quite impressive in limited-overs cricket.

Towards the lower order, whether it be a game-changer or a backup option for LSG, Hangargekar is more or less referred to as a lively lower-order batsman. With an exceptionally strong middle order that has the likes of Rishabh Pant, and Nicholas Pooran, a lower-order batsman will hardly have a space. 

Hangargekar's absence from the squad most of the time was a harbinger of how tough it would be for him to break into the playing XI. Still, the fans hope to see him play at least a couple of matches in IPL 2025 to prove his credentials.

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2. Matthew Breetzke

Another promising batter who is likely to be on the bench this season, Matthew Breetzke has built up a reputation for himself as he has the potential to anchor innings and hit aggressive strokes. He has quite a respectable T20 record already: in 104 matches, he has made 2,699 runs at an average of 29.98 and a strike rate of 134.27, including 19 half-centuries.

Although talented, Breetzke will be faced with the prospect of heavy competition for the starting role in LSG's batting lineup. With Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Marsh, and Aiden Markram being proven international stars occupying places in the top order, Breetzke could face an uphill task in getting selected in the playing XI. He is sure to find it even tougher because of LSG's policy of carefully balancing international and Indian players, with Indian batters being preferred to ensure some flexibility in other departments in their lineup.

Unless someone gets injured, or the selection hierarchy allows for his introduction in the playing XI, Breetzke is likelier to spend IPL 2025 on the bench rather than in action.

3. rshin Kulkarni Arshin Kulkarni

Arshin Kulkarni is a young and up-and-coming all-rounder, showing great potential. In T20, he scored 324 runs from 14 matches at an impressive average of 24.92 with a strike rate of 145.29. Kulkarni's ability to finish off innings with bat and ball offers features for his future propelling.

When it comes to bowling, Kulkarni has taken 10 wickets in T20s, with an economy of 9.53. While these figures seem pleasing, his lack of experience in pressure matches may lead LSG to confer more responsibilities onto seasoned all-rounders like Mitchell Marsh.

With an all-around ability to maximize both explosive batting and sprint bowling, Kulkarni is set to be one of LSG's future possibilities. However, with it being LSG's prerogative to maintain a steady lineup, one can assume he will have to bide his time. Fans will be keen to see him take his chance and prove his worth to the group.

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