IPL 2026: Predicting the strongest playing XI of LSG after retentions

Lucknow Super Giants enter IPL 2026 with a potent mix of explosive batting and a seam attack built to win matches in the powerplay and at the death. Based on the retained core and recent form, this eleven looks like a balanced match-day team capable of challenging for the title.

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The top three blends timing, power and control. Aiden Markram’s technique and ability to anchor innings give LSG a reliable platform at the top, and his familiarity with the side since joining last season strengthens that role. Mitchell Marsh supplies brute force, and his century in IPL 2025 showed he can dominate bowling attacks and shift momentum quickly. Matthew Breetzke offers depth and finishing potential when early wickets fall.

Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant form a dangerous left-handed finishing duo. Pooran’s power against pace and knack for clearing large boundaries give LSG mid-to-late innings explosiveness, while Pant’s late-season big knocks and match-winning temperament show he can change games when he times the ball. Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad provide domestic balance. Badoni’s inventive strokeplay stabilises the middle overs while Samad supplies raw hitting as a finisher.

The bowling unit is the backbone of this XI. Mohammed Shami brings new-ball bite, reverse-swing experience and the knack for early breakthroughs. Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan offer raw pace, bounce and wicket-taking intent to unsettle batters, while Avesh Khan’s variations and death-over craft make him the trusted finisher with the ball. 

Digvesh Rathi offers the key spinning abilities in the middle, and he showed his worth in the previous season. Having three aggressive quicks backed by experienced seam craft and quality spin gives LSG the ability to attack from both ends and defend totals across surfaces.

Strategically, this side allows flexibility. The top order can tee off early, while the lower middle order contains finishers who can bat deep and accelerate. Leadership and smart rotation of overseas slots will be crucial, and the management must manage workloads intelligently through the season. 

Probable Playing XI - Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Breetzke, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mohammed Shami, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan.

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