The IPL auction is a tough test before the actual test, so to say. At this point, every team is where they have made their decisions about players to keep or let go and, now, the excel sheets are important. The Lucknow Super Giants, who had a sixth-place finish in the previous season, are aiming to prove their worth in the current season and that is why the LSG released players 2026 list is expected to include some shocking names.
After the last-minute substitution of Rishabh Pant as captain, the franchise had to deal with a change in leadership style after KL Rahul’s transfer to Delhi Capitals (DC). The team surely had the potential to go places but it was their inconsistent performance that marred them throughout the season. The management was aware of this issue even before the IPL 2026 auction was planned.
At the start of the season, the Lucknow Super Giants boast of a strong pace attack that is great on paper but has not been able to shine on various occasions. Hence, one of the main areas where the franchise will focus their attention during the auction will be the rebuilding of the pace battery of the team. Therefore, there are a few pace-bowling options that are expected to be part of the LSG released players 2026 list before next season.
Pacer likely To Be Released By LSG Ahead of IPL 2026
Shamar Joseph
The name, in a sense, takes viewers to Brisbane! Shamar Joseph has been a prominent player for the West Indies in Test matches. But when it comes to T20s, particularly in the Indian Premier League, the West Indian has not undergone the best transition among his peers. The LSG franchise acquired Shamar Joseph before the 2025 season, Joseph has made just one appearance in the Indian franchise league so far.
And the show isn’t going well for him at all. He gave away 47 runs during his four overs with an economy rate that was above 11. Even though Joseph is considered a fine bowler for Test matches, he has a tendency to lose his line and length in the shortest format. Hence, joining the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) has also not given him any advantage.
Therefore, the young man aged 26 would be under the management’s eye to be on the list of players that get released by LSG for 2026 before the next season’s start.
Akash Deep
One retention list will always have a surprise which will not be to the fans’ liking. The same may hold true in case of the Lucknow Super Giants’ pace attack! Akash Deep has been a remarkable bowler for India in Test cricket. But somehow, international and domestic multi-day format doesn’t seem to be the place for him to show his shortest format talent.
So far, the 28-year-old has played for two IPL teams, and the Super Giants is his second franchise. Yet, all through the 14 matches played so far, Akash Deep has only been able to take 10 wickets, which surely does not promise much for his numbers in the league. In 2025 he was part of the LSG squad but played only six matches and claimed just three wickets.
That’s why Akash Deep might not make it to the LSG retention list, but would surely be there in the Lucknow Super Giants released players list. Nevertheless, fans would still be disappointed to see him included in the LSG released players 2026 list.
Prince Yadav
The right-arm fast bowler was picked up by the Lucknow Super Giants just before the start of IPL 2025. He played in six matches but could take only three wickets at a high economy of 9.85, which is the upper limit for the fastest format.
Management would consider placing Prince in the 2026 list of released players for LSG before the auction since Akash Singh and Avesh Khan are already part of the team. However, the franchise might find a better replacement than Prince Yadav that would allow them to bolster their roster to maximum capacity.
Consequently, the young 23-year-old player from Delhi would be one of the first to appear on the Lucknow Super Giants’ released player list. Rishabh Pant & Co. would like to turn their starts into a campaign that will be remembered by the fans for a long time, and for that, the LSG released players 2026 list will have to be in place.
