LSG camp during IPL 2026. Image Credits- AFP
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have been the talk of the town since the conclusion of the IPL 2026. First, former captain Rishabh Pant called it quits from his job at the franchise before he was eventually traded to the Delhi Capitals in exchange for Kuldeep Yadav to LSG.
For IPL 2026, Lucknow invested heavily in Wanindu Hasaranga to handle the spin bowling. However, the Sri Lankan leg-spinner threw the franchise under the bus, as he didn't join their camp for the season.
Although the Super Giants had a brilliant pace battery, Hasaranga's absence in the spin department haunted them. With Kuldeep Yadav's trade, LSG will get a near-perfect bowling attack for IPL 2027.
Former bowler G Jayakumar links up with LSG
After the Rishabh Pant-Kuldeep Yadav trade, LSG have made another massive acquisition. The franchise has reportedly hired former Kerala pacer Govindamenon Jayakumar as the batting coach to work alongside Head Coach Justin Langer.
"The franchise is roping in G Jayakumar, the former Kerala cricketer, as a batting coach," a report by Cricbuzz stated.
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"Multiple sources close to the franchise and Jayakumar confirmed the development. He is expected to join the franchise soon and work closely with its domestic players," it added.
Jayakumar played 25 First-Class and 8 List-A matches, representing Kerala from 1987/88 to 1994/95. He racked up 53 FC wickets and 8 List-A wickets. However, his best score is 21*.
Known to be a shrewd new-ball bowler during his playing days, the 59-year-old made a switch to Chennai and developed as a batting coach. He is known for unearthing B Sai Sudharsan, who plays for the Gujarat Titans and India.
G Jayakumar, Justin Langer to train LSG young batters in Perth
In a brilliant tactical move, the LSG will send their budding local batters to Perth, Australia, to train and work closely with Justin Langer off-season. As reported by Cricbuzz, G Jayakumar will also travel with the LSG troop.
It has been understood that Mukul Chaudhary, Ayush Badoni, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Abdul Samad, Arshin Kulkarni, and Himmat Singh will be travelling to Australia next week. However, before their foreign tour, the players will assemble in Chennai to link up with the new batting coach.
What will LSG's plans for next IPL auction?
After Rishabh Pant's departure, LSG are left with a void in captaincy. Nicholas Pooran has been the deputy to the Indian wicketkeeper, but Mitchell Marsh seems to be the front-runner as the next Lucknow captain.
Marsh has been one of the best batters for the Super Giants in the last seasons, scoring 1190 runs in 26 innings at an incredible strike rate of 163.5, including two centuries.
Nevertheless, after Pant’s switch with Yadav, LSG have got their purse even heavier. They will have approximately INR 19 crore reserves ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
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