In this article, we take a look at the SWOT Analysis of Lucknow Super Giants, following the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.
Strength
After missing out on the playoff spots last season on net run-rate, Sanjiv Goenka and the LSG management team have gone for an explosive batting line-up. Right from their probable openers in Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram to their #7 batter in Shahbaz Ahmed, LSG have players who can change the course of the game within a couple of overs.
Although their opening pair has struggled for runs since the ODI World Cup in November 2023, the trio of Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant and David Miller have been in a rich vein of form.
Add to that, the strong pace bowling contingent that’ll be training under the guidance of India great Zaheer Khan, the likes of Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep and Rajvardhan Hangargekar can only get better from hereon.
LSG have a playing XI that can take on any team and get the better of them on any given day.
Weakness
On paper, the LSG spin bowling department looks light on paper. With Ravi Bishnoi being their lone out-and-out spinner, the Super Giants might struggle in low and turning tracks. While the likes of Shahbaz Ahmed and Aiden Markram can provide cover with their finger spinners, there’s not enough penetration in the spin attack to trouble opposition batters.
Moreover, Ravi Bishnoi also had a season to forget last season. After picking up 16 wickets in the 2023 edition, the 24-year-old could only manage 10 wickets last campaign at an economy rate of 8.77. Thus, for a team that looks set to challenge for top honours next season, their spin department could turn out to be their Achilles Heel.
Opportunity
Without a doubt, LSG boast the best fast bowling contingent in the IPL for the coming season. To support the young duo of Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan, LSG have brought in a whole raft of talented quick bowlers. The likes of Akash Deep, Avesh Khan and Shamar Joseph will make any playing XI, while they also Mitchell Marsh to cheap in with a couple of overs as well as Rajvardhan Hangargekar as back-up.
With their overseas batters’ dilemma, any unavailability or injury concern will make way for the likes of Arshin Kulkarni and Himmat Singh. The latter in particular had an excellent Delhi Premier League and followed it up with an even more impressive outing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
Threat
Although one of the best playing XIs in the league, LSG have left themselves light in the back-up overseas batters department. The LSG top five comprises four overseas players, with the management more likely to go with Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram as their opening batters.
This leaves South Africa international Matthew Breetzke as the only overseas batter left in the squad, and he opens the innings, making him the suitable backup to either opener, however, this leaves no cover for the likes of Nicholas Pooran and David Miller in the middle order.
Injuries to any one of the four overseas batters can off-set the balance of this side and the domino effect will trickle down to the bowlers with one of the Indian bowlers making way for West Indian Shamar Joseph for an Indian batter to come in.
Probable XII
Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (wk), David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Abdul Samad/Akash Deep (Impact Sub)
Prediction: 2nd
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