The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have experienced a roller coaster ride since entering the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022. Franchise, owned Sanjiv Goenka Groupthey put up commendable performances in their debut seasons qualifying for the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. Despite these early successes, the team hit a snag in 2024, failing to progress beyond the league stage, marking a challenging phase in their IPL journey.
IPL 2025 mega auction headlines in the form of Rishabh Pant
The IPL 2025 mega auction brought LSG back into the limelight as they made a historic bid of INR 27 crore for Rishabh Pantmaking him the most expensive player in IPL history. The bold move underscored the franchise’s intent to rebuild its fortunes and build a team capable of dominating the league. Pant, an explosive wicket-keeper batsman with exceptional leadership skills, will be a key figure in LSG’s quest for success.
Before the auction, LSG retained a solid core of players, including Nicholas Pooran, making him the second most expensive player in the squad. Pooran’s game-winning ability and his versatility as a middle-order batsman go perfectly with the team’s aggressive approach. These retentions reflect LSG’s commitment to retain proven performers while integrating fresh talent to strengthen its squad.
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Those who got away: LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka reveals two names
Despite securing Pant, LSG’s ambitions spread further. Sanjiv Goenka revealed that the franchise’s initial draft included the England star Jos Buttler and India’s ace spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
During the conversation on Aakash ChopraOn the YouTube channel, Goenka explained LSG’s auction approach in detail. He emphasized that Pant figures prominently in all their strategies and said that Pant is not just a marquee but a cornerstone of Lucknow’s auction plans.
“You have plan A, you have plan B and you have plan C. Rishabh was fixed in all our plans – A, B and C. The first plan was to go with Rishabh and Josa. So these were the two key players. We failed Josa get. The second was Rishabh, so Yuzi We didn’t make it.” Goenka said.
Buttler, known for his dynamic batting and game-changing abilities, was targeted as the perfect opening partner to complement the team’s aggressive top order. However, Gujarat Titans (GT) outbid LSG, bought Buttler for INR 15.75 crore. Similarly, Chahal, one of the best leg-spinners in modern cricket, was another prime target. Known for his ability to pick wickets at crucial moments and his vast IPL experience, Chahal was expected to strengthen LSG’s spin department. Unfortunately for Lucknow, Punjab Kings (PBKS) swooped in with an offer of INR 18 million, leaving LSG to adjust their plans.
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