Lucknow Super Giants, who are aiming to clinch their maiden TATA IPL title, will be keen to turn their fortunes around in 2027, with the search for a new captain set to shape their strategy ahead of the season. Speaking on JioStar’s Game Plan ahead of the retention deadline, JioStar experts Abhinav Mukund and Aakash Chopra discussed LSG’s potential captaincy options, the impact of Kuldeep Yadav’s arrival and the need to strengthen their middle order.
Abhinav Mukund shared his thoughts on LSG’s captaincy options currently within their squad:
“Lucknow Super Giants are on the hunt for a captain. Now it depends on their team management about what they prefer, whether they prefer to appoint a captain from a player in their squad or whether they choose someone from the mini auction. The strongest option within the squad is Aiden Markram. He leads their SA20 side, Durban’s Super Giants, which makes his case for leading LSG quite strong. Then Nicholas Pooran is an option too, because he captains MI New York and the Trinbago Knight Riders as well, so he’s a good option too. So they have good options in their squad, but the trade window could change things. If LSG find a senior Indian player who can lead the side, they might look at that option instead. An Indian captain is always easier to manage in the IPL because they understand the local players and the pressure that comes with the role. So, while Markram and Pooran are strong candidates, LSG should keep their options open going into the auction.”
On how Kuldeep Yadav’s signing makes the team stronger:
“Kuldeep Yadav is a phenomenal signing for Lucknow Super Giants. He is a genuine wicket-taking spinner, and in T20 cricket, that is worth its weight in gold. He does not just keep the runs down, he looks for wickets in the middle overs, and that changes the game for a captain. At the Ekana Stadium, where the pitch offers help to spinners, he will be even more dangerous. His partnership with Digvesh Rathi could be one of the most exciting spin pairings in the IPL. Both of them are attacking bowlers who are not afraid to toss the ball up and invite the batters to go after them, because they know their variations can get them out. When you have two spinners asking different questions, it becomes very hard for the opposition to settle. If they build a strong understanding, LSG will have a spin attack that can win them games on its own and for me, this trade could be one of the smartest moves of the season.”
Aakash Chopra opened on LSG’s squad issues and their potential releases:
“The problem with LSG is that their overseas batters are all top-order players. Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran and Matthew Breetzke all do well in the top order in T20s. In bowling, Anrich Nortje always seems to get injured, so LSG wouldn’t mind releasing him. They have got Kuldeep Yadav, which is a phenomenal trade for them, and he will thrive at the Ekana Stadium. With Kuldeep’s arrival, their reliance on Wanindu Hasaranga goes away, meaning he can be released as well. George Linde won’t play many games either. Mayank Yadav seems to have overcome his injury issues, and the rise of Prince Yadav gives them enough pace options to let go of a senior pacer. So Avesh Khan might be released too. He didn’t have a bad season, but his price is too high, so they might release him to get more funds. If they release all these players, LSG will have a very big purse heading into the mini auction, where they can buy a good middle-order batter and solve the issue that has been haunting them for the last few seasons.”
On the middle-order problems of LSG:
“They will have to work hard in the auction because a lot of teams haven’t finalised their retention list yet, and if some big Indian player gets released and he turns out to be a middle-order batter, then they will go all out for that particular player. But if they don’t find an Indian option, then I feel they should go after an overseas option.”
