Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons over-dependence on four overseas players and lack of experience in the bowling line-up, led to Lucknow Super Giants’ downfall in IPL 2025. LSG could not qualify for the playoffs after managing six wins and eight losses in 14 games and ended at seventh place in the standings.
Mohsin Khan was injured before the season whereas Mayank Yadav played a handful of games due to injury. While Digvesh Singh Rathi impressed in his maiden season, the likes of Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, and Akash Deep could not deliver consistently.
“The formula they had hasn’t worked, and they will have to pivot away slightly from that formula. The formula was to have all overseas players in the batting order, and an entire made-in-India bowling attack,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator noted that not even a single LSG player was consistently playing for India in T20Is.
“There wasn’t even one guy who is playing top-flight T20 cricket for India and was in your team. If that had been the case, you would still feel that they would be able to manage. You made an entire made-in-India bowling attack, in which there wasn’t even one reliable big name, and they had to pay for it,” he added.
The former Delhi player said LSG’s bowling line-up lacked experience in the recently concluded season.
“If you have an entire made-in-India bowling, you should have two or at least one of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy and Harshit Rana. Someone should have been there,” he observed.
On the other hand, LSG were given consistent starts by their opening pair – Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, who were bought for INR 4.20 crore and INR 2 crore respectively in IPL 2025 mega auction.
“The excellent part of their auction was that the low-priced buys like Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram did an excellent job. Digvesh Rathi was the find of the season, and Ayush Badoni was a good retention,” he said.
Chopra highlighted the changes that LSG should make to their squad ahead of the next season.
“What do they need? They need a few overseas fast bowlers. They will need a lower-order batter. It can be an Indian. They will have to improve their bowling because they will be able to manage in batting. The top four will be able to manage. They will have to revamp and reboot their bowling attack,” Chopra observed.
LSG would look to come up with a collective show in IPL 2026.
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