5 players LSG should be published in front of IPL 2026

Lucknow Super Giants became the fifth side to be eliminated from IPL 2025 playoffs race following a defeat against SRH on Monday. It has been a rather forgetful season for Rishabh Pant and co, with the team being extremely inconsistent throughout the season. Some harsh calls need to be made if LSG have to mend their ways in IPL 2026 and it would start with releasing their Rs 27 crore buy – captain Pant.

Five players LSG should release

1. Rishabh Pant

The southpaw has simply failed to justify his hefty price tag and had his worst-ever IPL season so far in 2025. In 12 matches, Pant has scored just 135 runs, at a strike rate of 100 and averages a miserable 12.27. His extreme inconsistency in IPL 2025 has made him more of a liability than an asset for LSG. Releasing him ahead of IPL 2026 will free up a huge part of the team’s purse with which they could hunt for better options.

2. Mayank Yadav

The pacer once again broke down during IPL 2025, failing to finish the season yet again. After missing the first half of the tournament, Yadav returned to action in the clash against MI. However, he lasted just for 2 matches before he was injured again. LSG made a big blunder by retaining the injury-prone player and placing too much faith in him. It makes all sense for LSG to release Mayank ahead of the next season and look for more sustainable bowling options instead.

3. David Miller

Killer Miller has simply failed to live up to his reputation of being a destructive finisher in IPL 2025. Moving to LSG this season, the South African has only managed to score 153 runs in 11 matches, at a strike rate of 127.49. He averages 30.60 and has a highest score of just 27 runs. Like Pant, he too has been a liability for LSG and has put extreme pressure on the middle-order.

4. Arshin Kulkarni

The 20-year-old has only warmed the bench so far in IPL 2025 despite having immense all-round potential. In 2024, he played just 2 games for LSG. The team could rather release him and allow him to find another team who could utilize his potential more efficiently.

5. Shamar Joseph

The Caribbean pacer was the only overseas bowler that LSG had before they named William O’Rourke as an injury replacement. However, Joseph is yet to get a game in IPL 2025. What is startling is that LSG did not consider Shamar even though they faced multiple setbacks in their bowling department in the form of injuries. Like Kulkarni, LSG should rather release Shamar instead of wasting his talent.