Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered IPL 2026 with high expectations after assembling a strong squad led by him Rishabh pants. However, the season did not go according to plan as inconsistent performances, injury concerns and unfortunate team combinations prevented them from securing a playoff spot. While several players put in outstanding performances, several members of the squad struggled to justify their places in the playing XI.
with IPL 2027 with months still to go, the franchise is expected to reassess its staff and identify areas that require improvement. As part of this process, several players may be released to free up resources and make room for new additions. Here’s a look at five players who could be dropped by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2027.
5 players who could be released by LSG before IPL 2027
1) Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje has earned a reputation as one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, but IPL 2026 has been tough for the South African speedster. Batting conditions often worked against him, with opposing batsmen using his pace to their advantage. As the tournament witnessed record-breaking runs, Nortje struggled to sustain runs and eventually lost his place in the side. with local pacers as Prince Yadav Coming out strong and other bowling options impressive, LSG may decide to go through the experienced early.
2) Kulkarni throne
One of India’s most exciting young prospects, Arshin Kulkarni He got tough opportunities during IPL 2026. The all-rounder featured in just two matches and failed to make a significant impact with the bat. He managed just 17 runs in 2 matches and was not given an opportunity to contribute with the ball. While Kulkarni remains a promising long-term talent, LSG may prefer to release him and invest in players who can immediately bolster their playing XI.
3) George Linde
The South African all-rounder George Linde joined the squad as a substitute during the season but never broke into the starting line-up. with foreign stars like Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markramand Josh English Linde, who took the places of foreign players, found himself firmly on the sidelines throughout the campaign. Given the competition for overseas spots and his lack of playing time, LSG will not be able to retain him in IPL 2027.
4) Mohsen Khan
Mohsin Khan’s The IPL 2026 campaign was an extreme season. The left-arm pacer has shown his immense potential on several occasions, including a sensational spell against 5/23. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and an impressive 2/17 against Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, consistency remained a major concern. Mohsin often batted at the death and leaked runs at crucial stages of the game. He left 48 runs in front of him Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final appearance of the season and against was also expensive Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab in reverse armature. Given his salary and fluctuating performance, LSG may decide to move in a different direction before IPL 2027.
Also READ: Fans rally behind Suryakumar Yadav in sympathy as he hints at his removal as India’s T20I captain.
5) Shahbaz Ahmed
Shahbaz Ahmed brought into the squad to provide balance with left-arm spin and lower-order batting ability. However, he struggled to establish a well-defined role throughout the season. The all-rounder often batted very low in the order and was often underused with the ball. As a result, he could not make a meaningful impact on the matches. With LSG likely to seek more clarity on their team roles moving forward, Shahbaz could be one of the players released ahead of IPL 2027.
LSG is expected to make important personnel decisions
Lucknow Super Giants may be set for a few major changes ahead of IPL 2027. Besides reviewing their squad, the franchise may also have to address its leadership situation, with reports suggesting that Pant may step down as captain after a disappointing season.
While LSG still has a strong core, dropping a few under-performing players could help them free up resources and strengthen the squad ahead of the next auction. The coming months could be crucial as the franchise looks to make a comeback after missing out on the playoffs in IPL 2026.
Also READ: Mumbai Indians may release 5 players before IPL 2027
