Five Players Lucknow Super Giants Could Release Ahead of IPL 2026. After finishing 7th in the IPL 2025 points table, with only 6 wins from 14 matches, the Lucknow Super Giants under Rishabh Pant endured a rough ride with consistency issues, injuries, and disappointing performances from several key players. While Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran provided glimpses of brilliance, LSG never had enough momentum to mount a challenge for a playoff bid.
As this franchise looks forward to IPL 2026, management will closely analyze its squad structure, with many players coming under consideration for release due to either a streak of poor performances, injury-prone bodies, or underwhelming value from their roles as LSG sets out on a key rebuild.
1. David Miller
Miller played 11 games in IPL 2025, with a paltry total of 153 runs at an average of 30.6 and a strike rate of 127.5. It is underwhelming for a mid-order player of his profile and price not to have passed 30 in an inning. Miller is one of LSG’s senior power hitters, but the fact that he couldn’t deliver one or two match-winning innings may force the franchise to look for a fresh impetus in the batting unit.
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2. Abdul Samad
The glimpses show Samad’s potential. He scored 160 runs in 13 matches with a strike rate of 176.04. His highest score was 45 against PBKS, with those 160 runs putting him as LSG’s sixth-highest run-getter. The talent is there, but with a limited record in finishing roles, there is a chance that LSG could opt to release him in favor of more proven middle-order options.
3. Ravi Bishnoi
In 11 matches, Bishnoi took only 9 wickets and conceded 13 runs per over. He had an average economy of 10.84. A premier leg spinner among India’s talent pool, he was way too expensive in IPL 2025. LSG’s final overs regularly leaking runs means management may consider releasing him in favor of more economical spin alternatives.
4. Akash Deep
Deep played 6 matches and had 3 wickets with an astonishing economy of 12.05. He has failed to make any real impact, once again in 2025. Considering LSG’s seam department is under pressure to improve, Deep’s claim on expensive outings may move him further down the pecking order.
5. Mayank Yadav
Yadav had a season marked by injuries. He took 2 wickets in two matches before injuries to his lower back ended his season. Yadav is a pace bowler, but the longer-term concern for LSG will be his fitness issues late in the season. LSG may not want to retain a player who will be available at all and has endured recurring injuries.
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LSG’s IPL 2025 campaign demonstrated their need for consistent finishers and a more reliable and disciplined bowling attack. All the players that LSG had were talented, but their inconsistency throughout the season and concerns about injuries may compel LSG to make tough decisions regarding player retention. Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, the fans should fully expect LSG to improve their batting strike fragmentation and bowling discipline to provide a stronger campaign.
