Lucknow Super Giants will start their IPL 2025 campaign against Delhi Capitals on March 24. Here's the predicted playing XI for LSG including impact player options.
LSG's squad for IPL 2025
Lucknow Super Giants lost the Qualifier 2 to finish third in IPL 2023 and the Eliminator to finish fourth in IPL 2022. They slipped to seventh place in 2024, but with a fresh squad at their disposal (including a new captain in Rishabh Pant), they will be keen to bounce back in 2025.
LSG had a reasonable auction: apart from Pant, they picked up Mitchell Marsh (who will play as a specialist batter this time), David Miller, and Aiden Markram. With Nicholas Pooran also in the squad, expect them to form a power-packed top order every time.
One of only two squads with six overseas players, Lucknow seem to have a well-rounded bowling attack – on paper – in Shamar Joseph, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi.
Find more details on the complete Lucknow Super Giants squad for IPL 2025 here.
LSG predicted XI for IPL 2025
With a middle order this explosive, it may be a good idea for Pant to open the batting, presumably with one of Marsh and Markram (the other can then bat at three). With Pooran at four, they can use Miller based on the match situation, ensuring he is around in the death overs. Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad can accordingly fill in the two other slots between five and seven.
Read more: LSG are perfectly placed to revive Rishabh Pant the T20 opener
The bowling, while terrific on paper, may pose a problem. Mayank and Mohsin, while incredibly talented (and with different angles and skills) are both injury prone. Mayank is already set to miss the initial matches.
Akash, a Test bowler of immense potential, is yet to impress in the IPL. Joseph unfortunately did little to enhance his reputation in his only IPL outing, against the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024. Picking him would mean having to leave out one of the overseas power hitters as well. Avesh’s wicket-taking abilities may tilt the balance in his favour.
Of course, they do have a reasonable spin attack in Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmed, and M Siddharth, while Markram, Samad, and Badoni can all chip in. LSG are also reputed for dishing out pitches of different nature at their home ground. Unless both Mayank and Mohsin are ready to bowl at full steam, expect turners at Ekana.
Also read: Mellow, profound, peaceful: Virat Kohli gives a rare peek into his inner world
Predicted first XI (assuming Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan are unavailable du to injury): Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Aiden Markram*, Mitchell Marsh*, Nicholas Pooran*, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, David Miller*, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep.
Impact player options (in order of priority): M Siddharth, Akash Singh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni.
*overseas player
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
