IPL 2026: LSG’s ‘sleeping giants’ under spotlight as GT clash tests fragile starts

Lucknow: The Lucknow Super Giants return to Ekana on Sunday with momentum, but not without a lingering concern. They have won two on the bounce after opening the season with a defeat, yet their starts remain patchy: LSG were 48/2 in the powerplay against Delhi Capitals, 53/1 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and 56/2 against Kolkata Knight Riders.

For a batting group featuring Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran, that is still under par. Sunday’s afternoon clash against Gujarat Titans here will test whether LSG can reverse this trend.

Saturday’s training session suggested local conditions will again be the key subplot. A mixed-soil strip was rolled at Ekana and both teams trained through the afternoon heat.

LSG have ridden out their uneven starts because the middle order and bowling unit have repeatedly kept them alive. Ayush Badoni and Mukul Choudhary dragged them home against KKR while Mohammed Shami’s new-ball burst set up the win over Sunrisers.

Mohsin Khan’s inclusion is also doubtful amid fitness concerns.

Mukul’s growing influence was evident when Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra spent around 15 minutes conversing with him at the nets. Mukul also had a long chat with LSG’s strategic advisor Kane Williamson.

Mukul’s emergence has added fresh depth but Lucknow would prefer not to keep needing rescue acts. That brings the spotlight back to Pooran and the Powerplay.

After a prolific 2025 season, Pooran is yet to make a major statement in this campaign.

LSG have found ways to win but their top order has not yet imposed itself.

Gujarat, though, arrive with some lift of their own after beating Delhi Capitals by one run for their first win of the season. Shubman Gill returned from a neck sprain in that victory and his presence sharpens Gujarat’s chances of turning this into a tighter, more controlled contest.

LSG’s assistant coach Lance Klusener credited the bowling group for the team’s strong start. He said the dressing-room mood had lifted after two tight wins and added that the bowling unit had been “absolutely outstanding” so far.

On the underperforming top order, Klusener backed his senior batters, calling them “sleeping giants” and expressing confidence that Pooran, Markram and Marsh would deliver as the tournament progressed.

He also confirmed that Mayank Yadav is fit and ready, with team management waiting for the right opportunity to bring him in.

Gujarat Titans assistant coach Vijay Dahiya said, “We already have four fast bowlers. So, it’s not like if certain specific conditions arise what we will have to do. When you play 11, you pay attention to everything. I think this pitch is different compared to the last match.”

On Rashid Khan, he said, “Whenever he steps onto the field, you get to see 100% from him, whether it is batting, bowling, or fielding. And that is what we got to see, and there is no surprise in our team that the kind of performance Rashid delivered — that is the kind of player he is.”