Wanindu Hasaranga to Navdeep Saini: 5 Players LSG Should Target at IPL 2026 Auction

Lucknow Super Giants will head into the IPL 2026 Auction with an aim of building a squad that helps the team win the maiden IPL triumph. With a purse of INR 22.90 remaining and six slots to fill, including three overseas, LSG will look to add smart, impact-driven picks to strengthen key areas at the auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16.

On that note, let’s take a look at five key players LSG should keep an eye on at the IPL mini-auction.

Sri Lankan spinner was released by Rajasthan Royals after one season in IPL 2025, where he picked 11 wickets in as many matches, and has been listed at a base price of INR 2 crore at the IPL 2025 Auction. Hasaranga has experience of playing in IPL 2025, having picked 46 wickets in 37 matches. The spinner is expected to attract the interest of the franchises, with Lucknow Super Giants likely to make bids for him.

In the current LSG squad, after retaining their core players and releasing others, the team does not have an overseas spin bowling all-rounder who can both contain runs in the middle overs and contribute crucial lower-order runs. Wanindu Hasaranga could be an ideal option for LSG, given his ability to control the middle overs and contribute valuable runs in the lower order. Though Hasaranga has not yet excelled with the bat on Indian soil, his all-round skills may suit the LSG.

Another player Lucknow Super Giants are likely to make a bid for is Uttar Pradesh left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Prashant Veer. Prashant has been listed as an uncapped Indian player at a base price of INR 30 lakh. The 20-year-old had a great season in the UP T20 League this year, scoring 320 runs and picking 8 wickets in 10 matches, making him a strong all-round prospect for LSG.

After the departure of Ravi Bishnoi, LSG are looking for an Indian spinner or spin bowling all-rounder who can strengthen the middle overs and contribute with the bat when needed. Prashant Veer could be an ideal option for the franchise if they want a young and versatile all-rounder who can balance the side. Though UP all-rounder is not yet among the top Indian options, his domestic form makes him a viable budget pick for LSG.

Team India and Mumbai batter went unsold in the IPL auction after Delhi Capitals released him following the IPL 2025 season. Sarfaraz Khan is back in the auction as he has been listed at a base price of INR 75 lakh at the IPL 2026 Auction. Khan has often been seen as a red-ball specialist rather than a consistent T20 performer, but his domestic form and improved strike rotation could be a valuable pick for LSG.

LSG is looking for a reliable middle-order batter who can anchor the innings when the early wicket fall and accelerate the innings in the death overs, and Sarfaraz Khan could be a low-risk option given his domestic consistency and experience. He has been in impressive form in the ongoing SMAT 2025, amassing 256 runs, including two fifties and a fifty, at an average of 64.00 in six matches, making a strong case for teams looking for middle-order options in the IPL 2026.

South Africa pacer Gerald Coetzee was part of the Gujarat Titans in the last IPL season, wherein he played four matches and picked just two wickets before he was released from the squad. Coetzee has been listed at a base price of INR 2 crore at the IPL 2026 Auction, and franchises are expected to target the South African pacer in Abu Dhabi. 

Lucknow Super Giants are left without an overseas pacer after releasing Shamar Joseph, and the franchise can bid for Gerald Coetzee to fill the gap. Since the South African pacer was picked by the sister franchise, Durban Super Giants, for the SA20 2026, LSG could eye an overseas pace option to bolster their pace attack. Moreover, Gerald Coetzee could be an ideal backup option to the injury-prone pace bowling attack.

If Lucknow Super Giants are not looking for an overseas pace option and are instead willing to pick an Indian pacer, Navdeep Saini could be an ideal prospect for the franchise. With two injury-prone players like Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan, LSG will look for a backup Indian pace option to partner with Mohammed Shami, who was traded from SRH and has been in incredible form in the ongoing domestic season.

After being unsold in the last IPL auction, Navdeep Singh is back again after being listed at a base price of INR 75 lakh. Saini has been in impressive form in domestic cricket this year as he is aiming for an IPL comeback, and Lucknow Super Giants can consider him as a reliable Indian pace backup who brings domestic form and depth in the fast bowling unit ahead of IPL 2026.