The second new team introduced to the Indian Premier League in 2022 alongside eventual champions Gujurat Titans were the Lucknow Super Giants. Like the Titans, LSG made it through to the playoffs but fell short in the eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Spearheaded by captain KL Rahul, the Super Giants were busy both ahead of the auction and during it, releasing and signing a number of players in the process.
LSG have been hit with a blow in the form of Mohsin Khan, one of the star uncapped performers from the 2022 IPL season, being set to miss the majority of the 2023 campaign.
Lucknow Super Giants IPL 2022 performance
Considering it was their maiden campaign, the LSG 2022 season will largely have been considered a success. Finishing third and just two points off top spot in the league stage, the Super Giants fell at the first playoff hurdle with a 14-run defeat to RCB.
As expected, the opening combination of Rahul and Quinton de Kock produced the bulk of the runs at the top of the order, scoring over 1100 runs between them. Rahul scored two hundreds along with two fifties, while de Kock's century was in the form of an incredible 140 not out. Deepak Hooda produced a brilliant season with the bat, scoring 451 runs in 14 innings, having previously delivered some inconsistent seasons.
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| LSG captain KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock combined for over 1100 runs in the 2022 IPL season and are one of the best opening partnerships in the tournament [CREDIT: IPLT20] |
They were, however, the only players to score over 200 runs. Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni and Marcus Stoinis all provided runs at times but arguably lacked the opportunities to do much more, given the dominance of the top order.
While the runs may not have been spread out last season, the wickets certainly were. Avesh Khan led the way with 18, while Mohsin and Jason Holder took 14 apiece and Ravi Bishnoi picked up 13. Krunal helped himself to ten wickets, while Sri Lanka international Dushmantha Chameera got nine. Stoinis was only required to bowl seven overs in 11 matches.
What squad changes have Lucknow Super Giants made via the IPL auction?
The Super Giants released a number of notable players ahead of the auction, including mainstays of the 2022 XI in Holder and Chameera. Experienced IPL batter Manish Pandey was also let go, along with Shahbaz Nadeem who was not required last season.
At the IPL 2023 auction, LSG put the majority of their eggs in the basket of Nicholas Pooran, the former West Indies limited overs captain, for around £1.6 million. They also picked up overseas all-rounders Daniel Sams and Romario Shepherd to fill the void left by Holder. IPL stalwarts Amit Mishra and Jaydev Unadkat were added alongside Afghan seamer Naveen ul-Haq.
How is the squad shaping up ahead of the start of IPL 2023?
Potential starting XI: KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Mark Wood, Mohsin Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan
Again, the Lucknow batting looks very strong and the addition of Pooran has added another dimension. Given how teams nowadays often like to have a left/right-hand combination at the crease, the introduction of Pooran will mean that LSG can have that luxury depending on who falls first. For example, Hooda could replace right-hander Rahul while Pooran can replace left-hander de Kock.
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| Nicholas Pooran, who was with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022, will add quality and balance to the LSG top order [CREDIT: IPLT20] |
With Stoinis likely in at five, Lucknow have tremendous options at the top. Badoni showed glimpses of his talent last year and Krunal has always provided a terrific left-handed option down the order. While Wood potentially in at eight may not be ideal, the introduction of the Impact Player rule in the 2023 IPL will likely provide some extra leeway in that case. For example, someone like Manan Vohra or Krishnappa Gowtham could come in for the batting innings instead of the likes of Avesh Khan.
The bowling itself looks to be strong once more, especially with the likelihood that Wood will be available. That will be a boost in the same way that the Mohsin news will be a blow, but the experienced options of Mishra or Unadkat could help to cover. Unadkat in particular will provide a direct like-for-like left-arm seam option.
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