IPL 2025: 5 LSG players who were benched for majority of the season despite huge salaries

With six victories and eight defeats, the Lucknow Super Giants finished seventh in the standings in the 2025 Indian Premier League. On paper, they had a promising team, but inconsistent batting and bowling units kept them from earning a postseason berth.

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The restricted usage of a few expensive players was one of the main discussion points. Many of them were benched for the majority of the season while earning high wages, which raised concerns about the team's choices.

Here are 5 LSG players who were benched for the majority of the season despite huge salaries:

1. Akash Deep

Akash Deep played in six games for LSG and had little effect with the ball, despite fetching a high INR 8 Cr auction price. At an economy rate of more than 12, he claimed three wickets. The squad found it difficult to stick with him because of his lack of penetration and control during crucial moments.

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As the season went on, LSG's management shifted to more reliable pace choices. Despite his promise, Akash Deep spent most of the campaign warming the bench due to a lack of opportunities and poor results.

2. Shahbaz Ahmed

Shahbaz Ahmed was underutilized during the season despite being expected to play a crucial all-around role for LSG, who paid INR 2.40 Cr in the IPL 2025 auction. He didn't have many opportunities to make an impression and didn't contribute much when asked to use the bat or the ball.

 Shahbaz was often left out of squad combinations that favored other spin-bowling all-rounders. He spent the majority of the season on the sidelines despite being a versatile player who was unable to establish himself in the core group.

3. Matthew Breetzke

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Matthew Breetzke, a South African, was purchased for INR 75 lakhs at the IPL 2025 auction with the intention of bolstering LSG's top order. He didn't contribute much with the bat in the one game he played.

Breetzke was shelved because he was bought as a backup for injury-prone Mitchell Marsh, who went on to have one of the best seasons in the IPL. His role dwindled as the squad relied on more seasoned Indian batters, and he spent the majority of the tournament as a benchwarmer.

4. Shamar Joseph

Shamar Joseph, who was purchased for INR 75 lakhs at a super auction, was not employed during LSG's IPL 2025 campaign despite his speed and natural talent. One of the primary pace bowlers for the West Indies was unable to secure a spot in the LSG XI.

Joseph was unable to overcome the opposition during a season when LSG regularly switched up their fast bowlers. Despite the hype, he spent the entire season on the bench.

5. M. Siddharth

M. Siddharth was purchased by LSG for INR 75 lakhs, but his IPL 2025 campaign never really took off as he only played in two games, took two wickets, and was unable to produce game-changing performances. Other members of the team took precedence over him as a domestic spin option.

His value in the XI was limited because he didn't provide depth with the bat or make a compelling argument with the ball. He watched from the bench for almost the whole season even though he was a member of the team the entire time.

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