Predicting LSG’s 4 first-choice overseas players for IPL 2026

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) finished a disappointing seventh in the IPL 2025 points table. The Rishabh Pant-led side won only six of their 14 matches. Lucknow, who made their IPL debut in 2022, reached the playoffs in their first two seasons, but failed to qualify in the last two editions.

LSG retained 19 players ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, including four overseas cricketers. At the auction, they purchased Josh Inglis for ₹8.60 crore despite the uncertainty over his availability for a majority of the tournament. They also purchased Anrich Nortje and Wanindu Hasaranga for their base price of ₹2 crore.

Apart from Indian superstars and young uncapped talent, overseas stars have also played a big role in the success of franchises over the years. In this feature, we predict LSG’s four first-choice overseas players for IPL 2026.

#1 Aiden Markram

South African T20I captain Aiden Markram was one of the batting stars of LSG’s disappointing IPL 2025 campaign. In 13 innings, he scored 445 runs at an average of 34.23 and a strike rate of 148.82. The elegant right-handed batter hit five half-centuries during the edition, with a highest score of 66. He also chipped in with the ball, claiming four scalps at an average of 25.50.

Markram’s consistency makes him a reliable batter at the top of the order. He was in great form in the T20 World Cup 2026 as well, scoring 286 runs in eight innings at an average of 47.66 and a strike rate of 165.31, with three half-centuries. Markram’s contribution with the ball is often underrated. He has the knack of breaking crucial partnerships. He is a good T20 package overall.

#2 Mitchell Marsh

Markram and Australian T20I captain Mitchell Marsh formed a terrific opening pair for LSG in IPL 2025. In 13 innings, Marsh amassed 627 runs at an average of 48.23 and a strike rate of 163.70, with one hundred and six half-centuries. He slammed 117 off 64 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. LSG should open the innings with Marsh and Markram in IPL 2026 as well.

Looking at Marsh’s performance in the T20 World Cup 2026, he played two innings and scored 118 runs at a strike rate of 196.66. The right-handed batter struck a blazing 54 off 27 balls against Sri Lanka and hammered 64* off 33 balls against Oman in Pallekele. The Lucknow franchise will be pleased with the Australian captain’s form heading into IPL 2026.

#3 Nicholas Pooran

West Indies’ big-hitting batter Nicholas Pooran should also be a certainty in LSG’s first-choice playing XI for IPL 2026. He played some stunning knocks for the franchise last season, scoring his runs at an exceptional pace. In 14 matches last season, Pooran clobbered 524 runs at an average of 43.66 and a strike rate of 196.25, with five fifties. His best of 87* came off 36 balls against KKR.

Pooran was last seen in action during the SA20 2026 in January. Representing MI Cape Town, he scored 152 runs in nine innings at an average of 16.88 and a strike rate of 142.05. Despite the left-handed batter’s poor run of scores, Lucknow are expected to back him. They are well aware that if Pooran hits his strides, he can be, pretty much, unstoppable on his day.

#4 Wanindu Hasaranga/ Anrich Nortje

LSG can utilize the services of Sri Lanka’s bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga in their starting XI. The leg-spinner had a mixed season for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2025. In 11 matches, he claimed 11 wickets at an average of 33.72 and an economy rate of 9.04. Hasaranga can also be used as a floater in the batting line-up.

The 28-year-old, however, is awaiting fitness clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). If he is unavailable for the initial games, Lucknow could play South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje. The speedster has been very expensive in recent matches. Last season as well, he had an economy rate of 11.85 in two games for KKR. However, Nortje’s extra pacer can also be an X-factor if he gets it right.