As IPL 2026 approaches, franchises are reviewing their squad balance before the season begins. Spin bowling often plays a key role in T20 cricket, especially on Indian pitches where slower bowlers can control the game in the middle overs.
However, some teams appear to have weaker spin departments compared to others. Here is a look at three IPL teams that may face challenges with their spin options this season.
Teams With Weak Spin Units Before IPL 2026
| Team | Main Concern |
|---|---|
| Lucknow Super Giants | Limited experienced spin depth |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Young and unproven spin attack |
| Mumbai Indians | Lack of experienced Indian spinner |
Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants, led by Rishabh Pant, have some concerns in their spin department this season.
Wanindu Hasaranga is their most experienced spinner and a proven wicket-taker in T20 cricket. However, his recent injury raises questions about his availability and match fitness.
Another spin option is Digvesh Rathi, who performed well in IPL 2025 by taking 14 wickets in 13 matches. Despite that success, he still lacks long-term experience at the highest level.
The team also has left-arm spin options in M Siddarth and Shahbaz Ahmed. While both can contribute, Lucknow may still miss a reliable senior spinner during crucial matches, especially at spin-friendly venues like the Ekana Stadium.
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LSG Spin Options
| Player | Type |
|---|---|
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Leg-spin all-rounder |
| Digvesh Rathi | Leg spinner |
| M Siddarth | Left-arm orthodox |
| Shahbaz Ahmed | Left-arm spin all-rounder |
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad also enter IPL 2026 with uncertainty in their spin bowling unit.
The franchise hoped to sign Ravi Bishnoi during the auction but could not secure the deal. As a result, their spin department mainly includes young and relatively inexperienced players.
Krains Fuletra, Praful Hinge, and Zeeshan Ansari are among the spin options in the squad. While they have potential, none of them has yet proven themselves consistently in high-pressure IPL matches.
SRH will likely depend heavily on their pace attack, led by Pat Cummins, while hoping their young spinners step up during the season.
SRH Spin Options
| Player | Experience Level |
|---|---|
| Krains Fuletra | Young spinner |
| Praful Hinge | Emerging player |
| Zeeshan Ansari | Unproven at IPL level |
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians also have a few questions around their spin attack ahead of IPL 2026.
Mitchell Santner is expected to be the main spinner for the team. He is known for controlling runs in the middle overs, but he is not always a consistent wicket-taker.
Other spin options include Will Jacks and Allah Ghazanfar, but they are overseas players. Because of the IPL overseas player rule, the team cannot always play all of them in the same match.
Mumbai Indians also have Indian spin options such as Mayank Markande, Raghu Sharma, and Atharva Ankolekar. However, none of them has shown consistent success at the highest IPL level so far.
MI Spin Options
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Santner | Primary spinner |
| Allah Ghazanfar | Spin option |
| Will Jacks | Part-time off-spin |
| Mayank Markande | Leg spinner |
| Raghu Sharma | Spin option |
| Atharva Ankolekar | Left-arm spin |
Spin bowling often decides matches in IPL, especially on slower pitches. Teams with strong spin attacks usually perform well during the middle overs by controlling runs and taking wickets.
For Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Mumbai Indians, the performance of their spin bowlers could become a key factor this season.
If their current options perform well, these teams could still overcome the concerns. But if injuries or inconsistency appear, their spin departments may become a weakness during the tournament.
