IPL 2026 fever has already begun and all eyes are on the way teams have built their squads ahead of the mega season. Another one of the most discussed teams throughout 2021 has been Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). After a muddling season last summer, management’s been willing to take big strategic swings to shore up its core.
If you want to read about who stuck around and who was let go, here’s a full, easy-to-follow list of LSG’s retained and released players for IPL 2026 – along with the immediate fallout from these decisions.
LSG’s Strategy for IPL 2026
LSG have also always maintained that they would strive for a combination of young Indian talent, raw pace and experienced overseas match-winners. Their strategy for IPL 2026 is quite straightforward:
- Retain a strong domestic core
- Keep match-winning overseas stars
- Release ageing/underperforming players
- Create purse space for big buys at the auction
Their list of retentions reflects a reliance on attacking batsmen, multi-disciplinary allrounders and quicks who have shown promise over the last few seasons.
LSG Retained Players for IPL 2026
| Players Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant | WK-Batter |
| Abdul Samad | Batter |
| Aiden Markram* | Batting All-rounder |
| Akash Singh | Bowler |
| Arjun Tendulkar (T) | Bowling All-rounder |
| Arshin Kulkarni | All-rounder |
| Himmat Singh | Batter |
| Avesh Khan | Bowler |
| Ayush Badoni | Batter |
| Digvesh Rathi | Spinner |
| Manimaran Siddharth | Spinner |
| Matthew Breetzke* | WK-Batter |
| Mohmmed Shami (T) | Fast Bowler |
| Mitchell Marsh* | All-rounder |
| Mayank Yadav | Fast Bowler |
| Mohsin Khan | Bowler |
| Nicholas Pooran* | WK-Batter |
| Prince Yadav | All-rounder |
| Shahbaz Ahmed | All-rounder |
Key Takeaways from the Retained List
Big Overseas Names Strong at the Core
LSG have retained three foreign heavyweights;
- Aiden Markram – will always come made with SA stud technique from a former skipper
- Mitchell Marsh – all-round power
- Nicholas Pooran – dynamic middle-order match-winner
They also have faith in Matthew Breetzke, who provides wicketkeepers’ cover.
Trust in Explosive Indian Youngsters
People like Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Arshin Kulkarni and Himmat Singh are the future of the franchise. Their length-hitting, anchoring of innings or multipurpose use also make them invaluable in the middle order.
Fast Bowling Firepower
LSG has a pace attack that has been retained:
- Mayank Yadav – Express pacer in making
- Avesh Khan – consistent wicket-taker
- Mohsin Khan – left-arm angle
- Mohmmed Shami(T) – experience and new-ball accuracy
This makes them one of the strongest pace attacks for IPL 2026.
Spin Options Still in Development
Still, with Shahbaz Ahmed and Manimaran Siddharth in tow, LSG have decent cover in the spin department – only find themselves somewhat nudged with Ravi Bishnoi’s release (we will get to it soon).
LSG Released Players for IPL 2026
| Players | Role |
|---|---|
| Akash Deep | Bowler |
| Yuvraj Chaudhary | Bowler |
| Aryan Juyal | Batsman |
| Shamar Joseph* | Bowler |
| David Miller* | Batsman |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler |
| Rajvardhan Hangargekar | Bowler |
Big Surprise: Ravi Bishnoi
Selling Ravi Bishnoi, one of the India’s best youngsters leg-spinners in the game today, for some of his fans may prove a little shocking. This move suggests:
- LSG could also be preparing a new spin agenda
- Rebalancing budget for your next scheduled auction targets
- Have a trade or mega signing idea in mind
David Miller & Shamar Joseph Released
Two foreign stars - David Miller and Shamar Joseph – leave the franchise.
- Miller hasn’t been consistent from the start in recent years
- Joseph’s price tag + availability being down likely played a role.
This also opens several foreign slots.
Domestic Talents Move Out
The likes of Akash Deep, Aryan Juyal and Yuvraj Chaudhary may not have been someone that the team was looking at in terms of its development or had not got enough opportunities to seal their spots.
Rajvardhan Hangargekar
This release suggests LSG are preferring to go with their current pace artillery and focus less on developing another young pacer.
What These Changes Mean for LSG
A More Balanced, Explosive Batting Lineup
With Markram, Pooran, Samad, Badoni and Pant in the ranks this is a nice blend of consistency and firepower in LSG.
Experience Added Through Trades
Their bowling attack now have added variety with the inclusion of Md Shami and Arjun Tendulkar (T)
Auction Strategy Spinners & All Rounders Likely To Be In Focus
With Bishnoi gone and not many all-rounders retained, LSG will await:
- Buy one premium spinner
- Add another pace-hitting all-rounder
- Strengthen backup openers
Kept Core Illustrates LSG’s Long-Term Vision.
The team’s focus on Indian young blood can be seen in players like Mayank Yadav, Arshin Kulkarni, Mohsin Khan and Himmat Singh.
Final Thoughts
LSG’s list of retained and released players for IPL 2026 reveals a shift in focus. The franchise has backed its fledgling Indian brigade and retained some of its overseas pillars, while freeing up purse for making a few big auction moves.
The next season should see a more resolute, more daring Lucknow side – and fans can’t wait to see what their final squad will look like coming out of the auction.
