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The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have experienced a roller-coaster ride since their entry into the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022. The franchise, owned by the Sanjiv Goenka Group, displayed commendable performances in their debut seasons by qualifying for the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. Despite these early successes, the team hit a roadblock in 2024, failing to advance beyond the league stage, which marked a challenging phase in their IPL journey.
Making headlines at the IPL 2025 mega auction in form of Rishabh Pant
The IPL 2025 mega auction brought LSG back into the limelight as they made a historic INR 27 crore bid for Rishabh Pant, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. This bold move underscored the franchise’s intent to revamp its fortunes and build a team capable of dominating the league. Pant, an explosive wicketkeeper-batter with exceptional leadership credentials, will be a pivotal 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 on the team. Pooran’s ability to play match-winning innings and his versatility as a middle-order batter align perfectly with the team’s aggressive approach. These retentions reflect LSG’s commitment to retaining proven performers while integrating fresh talent to bolster their squad.
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The ones that got away: LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka reveals two names
Despite securing Pant, LSG’s ambitions extended further. Sanjiv Goenka disclosed that the franchise’s initial blueprint included England’s star opener Jos Buttler and India’s ace spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
During a conversation on Aakash Chopra‘s YouTube channel, Goenka explained LSG’s auction approach in detail. He emphasized that Pant featured prominently in all their strategies and said Pant was not just a marquee signing but the cornerstone of Lucknow’s auction plans.
“You have a plan A, you have a plan B, and you have a plan C. Rishabh was fixed in all our plans – A, B and C. The first plan was to go with Rishabh and Jos. So these were the two key players. We didn’t succeed in getting Jos. The second was Rishabh, then Yuzi. We didn’t succeed,” Goenka said.
Buttler, known for his dynamic batting and game-changing abilities, was targeted as a perfect opening partner to complement the team’s aggressive top order. However, Gujarat Titans (GT) outbid LSG, acquiring Buttler for INR 15.75 crore. Similarly, Chahal, one of the finest leg-spinners in modern cricket, was another top target. Recognized for his ability to pick wickets in crucial moments and his vast IPL experience, Chahal was expected to fortify LSG’s spin department. Unfortunately for Lucknow, Punjab Kings (PBKS) swooped in with an INR 18 crore bid, leaving LSG to adjust their plans.
