Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has backed Shahbaz Ahmed to be Lucknow Super Giants’ potential finisher in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026. Bangar said LSG don’t have any other players apart from Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni to play the finisher role.
Bangar, who observed Ahmed from close quarters during his stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said the all-rounder is a player who has great character.
“Apart from Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni, they don’t have any other player who can fit in there. So the top five will have to do more, and you can expect Shahbaz to come and provide the finishing touches,” the former India all-rounder, Bangar, said on Star Sports.
“He is a player with great character. He was with me in RCB. So I know the kind of fighting qualities he has. So you will definitely want the top order to perform the way they have been performing in international cricket at the moment, or the way Nicholas Pooran garnered fame last year. If the top order doesn’t fire, this team will have difficulties throughout the season,” he added.
Bangar reckons LSG’s batting comes very close to being called the most explosive batting unit in IPL 2026. LSG has batters like Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran and Josh Inglis.
“Comes very close because SRH’s batting there is also very explosive. They are quite similar teams. LSG have in-form players because they have Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran, who have incredible form, and they have now settled in the team,” he replied.
The former RCB head coach reckons Rishabh Pant should bat in the top order for LSG.
“Rishabh Pant showed his colors just before the last season ended. He scored a hundred and also batted slightly up the order. He should bat there only. The top order will mostly decide their batting performance. You can definitely say that the lower order looks a slightly weak department,” Bangar observed.
LSG will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Delhi Capitals in Lucknow on April 1.
