Lucknow Super Giants announced their arrival in the IPL in 2022. They didn’t take long to make an impression, as they stormed into the playoffs in their first two seasons. LSG looked like a well-balanced, fearless team that played an aggressive brand of cricket. In fact, they were energetic and hungry for success.
However, the last two years have been a tough ride. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. What once looked like a consistent and confident side suddenly began to look uncertain. LSG finished seventh on the IPL 2025 points table.
They underwent a major reshuffle ahead of IPL 2025 under the new leadership of Rishabh Pant. Needless to say, the big changes didn’t yield them the good results they were hoping for. They lacked rhythm and balance on the field despite having a strong lineup on paper. Some matches slipped away due to poor finishing, while others were lost because of their bowling struggles at home.
Still, there were bright spots in their campaign. The overseas players, especially, kept the fighting spirit alive. It is worth noting that Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran were the backbone of the team. The overseas duo scored runs and lifted spirits when things went wrong. Apart from that, Aiden Markram too chipped in with solid performances and gave the batting order some much-needed stability.
Let’s take a closer look at three overseas players LSG should definitely retain ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
1. Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran has become the heart of LSG’s middle order. He has incredible potential to change games within a few overs and that trait makes him priceless. He smashed 524 runs at an unbelievable strike rate of nearly 196 in IPL 2025. Pooran stepped up when it mattered the most.
As vice-captain and wicketkeeper, he carries multiple responsibilities, and he has handled them with maturity. LSG invested heavily in him for INR 21 crore before IPL 2025, and he proved why he is worth every rupee. Going forward, he’s the kind of player you build a team around. His aggression, fitness, and ability to inspire teammates make him an automatic retention.
2. Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh had a dream season for the Lucknow-based team in IPL 2025. He was the club’s top run-scorer with 627 runs and averaged almost 48 and maintained a strike-rate of 160. Those numbers speak for themselves. Marsh brought authority and power to the top of the order. His century and several match-winning knocks gave LSG fans something to cheer about in an otherwise forgettable season.
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What makes Marsh so valuable is his flexibility. Even though he bowled less last season, his all-round potential adds tremendous value to the squad. Acquired for just INR 3.4 crore, he’s easily one of the best bargains in recent IPL history. He gives LSG both firepower and balance, something every successful team needs. Retaining him is a no-brainer if the franchise wants to build a strong core.
3. Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram brought calmness and control to the innings while others played aggressively. The South African aggregated 445 runs in 13 games with five fifties to his name and maintained a strike rate of 149. He has the ability to adapt to match situations, which makes him a dependable option at number three or four.
Markram was picked for just INR 2 crore, and what a smart buy that turned out to be. Apart from his batting, his part-time off-spin gave the team some handy overs in the middle phase. In a team filled with big hitters, Markram’s stability is gold. He plays smart cricket and reads the game beautifully.
