![LSG players who are unlikely to play any matches in IPL 2026 [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1774359408692_RishabhPantLSG.jpg?type=hq)
LSG players who are unlikely to play any matches in IPL 2026 [Source: X]
The Lucknow Super Giants are all set to head into their fifth IPL season in IPL 2026 as they continue their pursuit of the maiden silverware in the competition. The Rishabh Pant-led side is coming off two back-to-back 7th placed finished in the last two seasons and is looking for spirited performances from their squad.
Leading up to the season, the Super Giants have a settled core group of players, who will start most of the matches in the tournament, except for any fitness concerns or really poor form. Following the IPL 2026 auction and recovery of the injured bowlers, they have a plethora of options to pick from across departments.
As they begin their 2026 season against the Delhi Capitals on April 1, we explore the names who are likely to remain on the LSG bench for the complete season.
1. Arjun Tendulkar
Arjun Tendulkar was one of the earliest trades before the IPL 2026 auction as he joined LSG to replace the departing Shardul Thakur, who was swapped by the Mumbai Indians.
Previously, he has played five matches for the Mumbai Indians and picked 3 IPL wickets, while predominantly bowling in the powerplay. After the end of IPL 2025, he picked 8 wickets in 5 matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26, representing Goa.
However, despite improvements, Arjun Tendulkar is unlikely to feature in any of the LSG matches due to the squad depth that they have. The likes of Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav remain ahead in the pecking order due to their IPL experiences.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant Repositions Himself In LSG After Sanjeev Goenka's Pressure For IPL 2026
2. Matthew Breetzke
The South African batter, Matthew Breetzke, played a match-winning 68* off 49 in the recent SA20 final for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. He has also had a meteoric rise in ODI cricket, scoring 706 runs in 12 innings with a 150 and six fifties.
In his debut IPL season, he played a solitary innings, scoring 14(12). In his overall T20 career, Breetzke has played 133 innings, scoring 3549 runs at an average of 29.33 and a strike rate of 132.92.
Ideally, his preferred position is in the top-3, where LSG are currently stacked with both domestic and overseas options. Additionally, the limited four overseas spots are likely to go to Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran and Anrich Nortje until Josh Inglis joins the squad.
Wanindu Hasaranga, who is currently injured, is also in their squad, making it extremely difficult for Matthew Breetzke to get any match time in IPL 2026.
3. Arshin Kulkarni
The 21-year-old Arshin Kulkarni was the second-highest run-scorer of the Maharashtra Premier League 2025 with 279 runs in 9 innings played. He has been a part of the Lucknow Super Giants since 2024, but has only played twice in two seasons.
In only two innings, he has scored 9 runs, but remains a promising young talent that LSG is looking to back in the long term. To go with his batting, he is also a decent medium pace option for the skipper if the team requires someone to chip in with overs.
Having played 21 T20s, he has scored 549 runs at a strike rate of 138.28 with two fifties to his name. However, similar to Matthew Breetzke, Arshin Kulkarni is also a top-order bat, and it is difficult for him to break into the first-choice XI.
Apart from the first-choice players, Himmat Singh Mukul Choudhary and Akshat Raghuvawanshi are also likely to be ahead of Kulkarni as back-ups. Hence, Arshin Kulkarni is the third player who could warm the bench throughout IPL 2026.
