LSG IPL Auction 2025 review: Lucknow secure Rishabh Pant and leadership depth, but bowling looks thin

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were at the center of attention during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction in Jeddah, making history by securing Rishabh Pant for a record Rs 27 crore — the highest-ever bid in the history of this cash-rich tournament. Pant, who had a base price of Rs 2 crore, was acquired after an intense bidding war, with LSG outbidding fierce competition from the Delhi Capitals. The acquisition of Pant headlines LSG’s strategy of investing in star power and leadership as they aim to assemble a title-contending squad.

In addition to Pant, LSG added depth and versatility to their roster with marquee players like David Miller (Rs 7.5 crore), Mitchell Marsh (Rs 3.4 crore), and Aiden Markram (Rs 2 crore). Their bowling unit was bolstered with the signing of Avesh Khan for Rs 9.75 crore and other promising players like Akash Deep and Shamar Joseph.

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LSG IPL Auction 2025 auction strategy: Star power and leadership depth

LSG’s auction strategy revolved around acquiring players with proven leadership credentials and impact potential. By bringing in Rishabh Pant, they secured not only a game-changing wicketkeeper-batter but also a strong captaincy option. Pant joins a squad already brimming with leaders like Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Mitchell Marsh, making LSG one of the most tactically versatile teams heading into IPL 2025.

The franchise also demonstrated a keen focus on balance by strengthening their batting with middle-order anchors and finishers like Miller, Mitchell Marsh, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Abdul Samad.

Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL Auction 2025 purchases

Rishabh Pant: Rs 27 crore
David Miller: Rs 7.5 crore
Avesh Khan: Rs 9.75 crore
Mitchell Marsh: Rs 3.4 crore
Aiden Markram: Rs 2 crore
Abdul Samad: Rs 4.2 crore
Aryan Juyal: Rs 30 lakh
Shahbaz Ahmed: Rs 2.4 crore
Rajvardhan Hangargekar: Rs 30 lakh
Himmat Singh: Rs 30 lakh
M Siddharth: Rs 75 lakh
Akash Deep: Rs 8 crore
Akash Singh: Rs 30 lakh
Prince Yadav: Rs 30 lakh
Shamar Joseph: Rs 75 lakh
Yuvraj Chaudhary: Rs 30 lakh
Digvesh Singh: Rs 30 lakh
Matheew Breetzke: Rs 75 lakh
Arshin Kulkarni: Rs 30 lakh

Lucknow Super Giants retained players

Nicholas Pooran: Rs 21 crore
Ravi Bishnoi: Rs 11 crore
Mayank Yadav: Rs 11 crore
Mohsin Khan: Rs 4 crore
Ayush Badoni: Rs 4 crore

LSG 2025 squad strengths: A star-studded squad with leadership depth

Game-changing leaders: With four captaincy options in Pant, Pooran, Markram, and Marsh, LSG has unparalleled leadership depth. This flexibility allows them to adapt their on-field strategies based on opposition and conditions.

Explosive batting depth: The addition of Rishabh Pant gives LSG a destructive finisher and a reliable top-order batter. Alongside hitters like Miller, Pooran, Marsh, and Samad, LSG has a lineup capable of posting massive totals or chasing daunting targets.

LSG 2025 squad weaknesses: Lack of experience in death-bowling

Lucknow Super Giants’ biggest weakness heading into IPL 2025 is their inexperienced death-bowling lineup, which could struggle under pressure in high-stakes matches. While Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh, and Akash Deep provide a reliable pace option upfront, the attack lacks proven IPL credentials as a proper death bowling unit. Ravi Bishnoi remains the standout spinner, but he has limited support from less experienced players like Shahbaz Ahmed and Prince Yadav. This lack of seasoned bowlers could make it difficult for LSG to maintain control in crunch situations, especially in death overs or on challenging surfaces.

LSG at IPL Auction: What could Lucknow have done differently?

Target specialist openers: Investing in a dependable opener like David Warner or Prithvi Shaw could have provided better balance to their top order.

Strengthening death bowling: LSG could have pursued a proven death-over specialist to complement their pace attack. Someone like Chris Jordan or Reece Topley would have added value in crunch situations.

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LSG: Early predictions for IPL 2025

LSG enters IPL 2025 as one of the most exciting teams on paper. Their star-studded batting lineup, leadership depth, and balanced bowling attack make them strong contenders for the playoffs. However, their lack of a specialist opening pair and potential over-reliance on Pant could be areas to watch. If their middle-order stars fire consistently, and Pant lives up to his record-breaking price tag, LSG could very well lift their first IPL trophy this season.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) full squad for IPL 2025

Batters: David Miller, Aiden Markram, Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh

Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Matheew Breetzke, Aryan Juyal

All-Rounders: Mitchell Marsh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ayush Badoni, Arshin Kulkarni, Prince Yadav

Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Akash Deep, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, M Siddharth, Shamar Joseph, Akash Singh, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Digvesh Singh

LSG predicted playing XI

Nicholas Pooran (Overseas), Aiden Markram (Overseas), Rishabh Pant (C & WK), Mitchell Marsh (Overseas), David Miller (Overseas), Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Moshin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan

Impact player: Ayush Badoni / Arshin Kulkarni