Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) face critical decisions ahead of the IPL 2026 auctionscheduled tentatively for mid-December. The mini-auction comes after the mega auction in 2025 and offers franchises an opportunity to reshuffle their squads ahead of the new season. With a retention deadline looming, LSG must carefully decide whom to hold onto and whom to release, as they seek to improve upon a challenging 2025 campaign.

Aaron Finch lists LSG players worth keeping for IPL 2026

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch recently, speaking to Star Sports, shared his opinions by using ‘hold’ or ‘fold’ on which Lucknow Super Giants players should be retained ahead of IPL 2026. Finch evaluated key players based on their performances, fitness concerns, and potential impact on the squad.

• Rishabh Pant: Finch took no time in retaining the captain of the team and the hottest asset of LSG.
• Mayank Yadav: Finch expressed doubts due to injury issues and questioned his availability when it matters most. He suggested folding on Mayank as he doesn’t seem to be consistently on the park during critical moments.
• Avesh Khan: Although experienced, Avesh’s injury concerns raise questions about his fitness and consistency. Finch recommended folding here too to leave room for potentially fitter replacements.
• David Miller: Praised as a match-winner by Finch, especially for his power hitting in the death overs, Miller is someone the team should hold onto for his ability to change games.
• Akash Deep: Despite inconsistency, Finch acknowledged his potential to perform well when in form and advised holding him.
• Mitchell Marsh: Finch sees Marsh’s growing involvement in T20 cricket and his destructive potential at the top of the order as valuable, advocating to retain him.
• Nicholas Pooran: Described as a very dangerous and destructive player by Finch, Pooran receives a strong recommendation to hold given his ability to dominate bowling attacks.​

These insights show Finch advocating a mix of retention based on fitness and impact. The emphasis remains on retaining power hitters and bowlers who offer match-winning qualities, while letting go of players with recurring injury problems or inconsistent performances.

Lucknow Super Giants’ run in IPL 2025

Lucknow  had a turbulent 2025 IPL season, finishing seventh in the league—a position they equalled as their worst finish in franchise history. The team managed only six wins from 14 matches, falling short of expectations despite significant investment, including the Rs 27 crore acquisition of captain Rishabh Pant. LSG showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency and struggled with injuries among key players.

The franchise’s management reportedly expressed dissatisfaction, particularly scrutinizing leadership under Pant and coaching staff like Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan. The team’s all-Indian bowling attack, while cost-heavy, often failed to deliver collectively. Key players such as Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khanand Akash Deep played limited matches, impacting the side’s balance and effectiveness. This stop-start season has heightened the need for strategic retentions and smart acquisitions at the auction.​

With the IPL 2026 auction slated for mid-December, LSG’s retention choices will be critical in reshaping their squad to bounce back strongly. Finch’s expert views provide a helpful guide for the franchise’s decisions, prioritizing fitness, match-winning potential, and tactical balance as the team prepares for another competitive IPL campaign.