Cricket news around IPL 2026 has already started heating up. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), led by Rishabh Pant, are preparing for a new season after a disappointing campaign last year.
However, former Chennai Super Kings spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a bold prediction. He believes LSG could struggle again in IPL 2026 and may finish outside the top teams.
LSG Looking for a Fresh Start in IPL 2026
Lucknow Super Giants had a difficult season in IPL 2025. The team finished seventh on the points table and failed to reach the playoffs.
Rishabh Pant, who became the most expensive player in IPL history after being bought for ₹27 crore, led the team during the season. Despite the poor results, the franchise has decided to continue with Pant as captain for IPL 2026.
LSG will begin their new campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Interestingly, Delhi Capitals is Pant’s former IPL team, which makes the opening match even more exciting.
LSG performance in IPL 2025
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Final Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 6 | 8 | 7th |
The team management hopes Pant can guide the squad to better results this season.
Ashwin’s Bold Prediction About LSG
Before the start of IPL 2026, Ravichandran Ashwin shared his thoughts on his YouTube show “Ash ki Bat”.
Ashwin said that he already sees three teams as clear contenders for the top spots in the tournament. According to him, the battle for places four, five, and six will be intense, but Lucknow Super Giants will not be part of that race.
In his prediction, LSG may finish outside the top six again. This statement has surprised many fans and could add pressure on Pant and his squad ahead of the new season.
Also See : Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy’s Form a Big Concern for KKR Before IPL 2026
Aiden Markram Left Out of Ashwin’s Playing XI
Another interesting point in Ashwin’s prediction was his team selection for Lucknow. He did not include Aiden Markram in his preferred playing XI.
This surprised many because Markram had a strong performance in IPL 2025.
Aiden Markram IPL 2025 performance
| Season | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | 13 | 445 | 34.23 | 148.83 |
Despite these impressive numbers, Ashwin still left him out of his ideal lineup.
Arjun Tendulkar May Struggle to Get Chances
Ashwin also spoke about Arjun Tendulkar’s chances in the LSG squad. According to him, the young pacer may find it difficult to get regular playing time.
The reason is the strong competition in Lucknow’s fast bowling attack. The team already has several experienced bowlers who are likely to be ahead in the selection order.
LSG pace bowling options
| Bowler |
|---|
| Mohammed Shami |
| Avesh Khan |
| Mayank Yadav |
| Mohsin Khan |
| Arjun Tendulkar |
With these players competing for places, breaking into the playing XI could be challenging for Arjun this season.
Ashwin’s predictions have created a lot of discussion before the start of the tournament. Rishabh Pant will be under pressure to prove that LSG can perform much better than last season.
The opening match against Delhi Capitals will be an important moment for the team. A strong start could help LSG build confidence and silence critics.
If Lucknow wants to prove Ashwin wrong, the team will need strong performances from both their batting and bowling units throughout the season.
Fans will be watching closely to see whether Pant can lead LSG to a better campaign in IPL 2026.
