Skipper Pant Showed Lack Of Trust In Ravi Bishnoi : Irfan Pathan

Lucknow Super Giants enter the TATA IPL 2026 reducing overseas dependency and strengthening their Indian fast-bowling options. Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, experts Abhinav Mukund, Irfan Pathan and Aakash Chopra explained how the franchise plans to rotate key players. 

Speaking on the ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar expert Irfan Pathan analyzed LSG’s squad balance and key additions: "Looking at Anrich Nortje and Hasaranga, LSG has very strong options, especially in the fast-bowling department, which was much needed. If the fast bowlers stay fit, they form a formidable unit. Hasaranga is a big benefit—last year, there was a lack of trust from captain Rishabh Pant in Ravi Bishnoi. Hasaranga, bought for 2 crore, is a solid and cost-effective addition. However, with batsmen like Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad, LSG could have done with one more top-class batter. I was hoping for someone like Livingstone. Overall, there’s still a need for at least five more high-quality batsmen in the squad."

Speaking on the ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar expert Aakash Chopra commented on LSG’s batting and lower-order concerns: "LSG has kept Rishabh Pant at number three, but the batting order remains a question mark. Pant can play higher, and last season’s top order was exceptional—three of the top four batsmen scored over 500 runs, which is very rare. The real issue has been the lower order; at five, six, and seven, players like David Miller couldn’t consistently deliver in last season. This season, LSG has more options in bowling with Hasaranga, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, along with Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, and Arjun Tendulkar. Despite these improvements, the lower-order batting remains a concern that hasn’t been fully addressed."

Speaking on the ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar expert Abhinav Mukund commented on Josh Inglis' acquisition by LSG for INR 8.6 crore: “If you look at the batting order for LSG, they’re very similar to SRH. Buying Josh, even if he was available for the full season at that price, doesn’t make sense because he’s not going to be in the starting line-up.”