Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are the new kids on the block in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Established in 2021, this franchise has quickly made a name for itself in the world of cricket. The team is based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and plays its home matches at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium. Owned by the RPSG Group, who previously held the reins of the Rising Pune Supergiant franchise from 2016 to 2017, LSG has become a formidable force in the IPL.
Team Leadership
LSG is led by the dynamic KL Rahul, one of the most prolific batsmen in the T20 format. The team’s head coach is the Australian cricket legend Justin Langer, who brings a wealth of experience to the side. Adding to the star-studded lineup is the team mentor, Gautam Gambhir, whose cricketing acumen has been invaluable.
The Birth of Lucknow Super Giants
The journey of Lucknow Super Giants began with the auction of new teams in 2021. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opened the doors to two new franchises, and after a fierce bidding war, the RPSG Group secured the rights to operate the Lucknow franchise with a whopping bid of ₹7,090 crores.
The team embarked on an exciting journey by inviting fans to help choose a name. In January 2022, the franchise officially adopted the moniker “Lucknow Super Giants.”
Season 2022: A Promising Start
The debut season of LSG was marked by high expectations. At the mega auction, the team made significant moves, acquiring the likes of Quinton de Kock, Mark Wood, Krunal Pandya, and Marcus Stoinis. The franchise made a bold move by appointing KL Rahul as the captain, securing his services for a staggering ₹17 crore, making him one of the league’s highest-paid players.
In addition to KL Rahul’s leadership, the team hired the experienced Zimbabwean cricketer Andy Flower as their head coach, further strengthening their support staff. The franchise also benefited from the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir.
However, their maiden season had its share of challenges, as Marcus Stoinis was unavailable due to international commitments, and English pace bowler Mark Wood suffered an injury, which led to the drafting of Australian bowler Andrew Tye.
2022: The Debut Season
LSG managed to impress in their debut season by finishing third in the points table, securing a place in the playoffs. In the Eliminator match, they crossed paths with the Royal Challengers Bangalore but were unable to advance further.
2023: A Continuing Journey
In the 2023 season, LSG once again found themselves in the top four, finishing third in the league stage. Their playoff journey mirrored the previous season as they faced the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator Match and narrowly missed out on advancing.
IPL Seasons
| Season | League standing | Final standing |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3rd out of 10 | Playoffs |
| 2023 | 3rd out of 10 | Playoffs |
Season Summary
| Season | Round | Table Standing | Match Played | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Eliminator | 3rd | 15 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 60.0 |
| 2023 | Eliminator | 3rd | 15 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 53.33 |
By Opposition
| Opposition | Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50 |
| Delhi Capitals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Gujarat Titans | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Mumbai Indians | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75 |
| Punjab Kings | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.6 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
Home Advantage
The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is the fortress of LSG. With a seating capacity of 50,000, it stands as the fifth-largest international cricket stadium in India. The stadium made its international debut in November 2018 when it hosted a Twenty20 International (T20I) between India and the West Indies.
During their debut season, LSG couldn’t play any home matches due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, they returned to their home ground for the 2023 season, aligning with the home and away format of the tournament.
A Tribute to Football History
In a heartwarming gesture, LSG paid homage to the rich football history of Mohun Bagan by sporting their iconic green-maroon jersey during a fixture against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The football division of Mohun Bagan is co-owned by the RPSG Group.
As the Lucknow Super Giants continue to make their mark in the IPL, they look forward to more seasons filled with excitement, outstanding performances, and an ever-growing fan base. With a mix of international stars and local talent, LSG is set to scale greater heights in the world of T20 cricket.
Highest Totals
| SCORE | OPPOSITION | GROUND |
| 257/5 | PUNJAB KINGS | MOHALI |
| 213/9 | RCB | BENGALURU |
| 211/4 | CHENNAI SUPER KINGS | BRABOURNE |
| 210/0 | KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS | DY PATIL |
| 205/7 | CHENNAI SUPER KINGS | CHENNAI |
Lowest Totals
| SCORE | OPPOSITION | GROUND |
| 82/10 | GUJARAT TITANS | PUNE |
| 101/10 | MUMBAI INDIANS | CHENNAI |
| 108/10 | RCB | LUCKNOW |
| 128/10 | GUJARAT TITANS | LUCKNOW |
Most Runs
| PLAYER | MATCH | INNINGS | RUNS |
| KL RAHUL | 24 | 24 | 890 |
| QUINTON DE KOCK | 19 | 19 | 651 |
| MARCUS STOINIS | 26 | 25 | 564 |
| DEEPAK HOODA | 27 | 26 | 535 |
Most Wickets
| PLAYER | MATCH | WICKET |
| RAVI BISHNOI | 29 | 29 |
| AVESH KHAN | 22 | 26 |
| KRUNAL PANDYA | 29 | 19 |
| MOHSIN KHAN | 14 | 17 |
LSG Squad
Manan Vohra, KL Rahul, Ayush Badoni, Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Karan Sharma, Marcus Stoinis, K Gowtham, Deepak Hooda, Kyle Mayers, Krunal Pandya, Daniel Sams, Romario Shepherd, Prerak Mankad, Swapnil Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Mark Wood, Mayank Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Mohsin Khan
Administration And Support Staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| CEO | Vinod Bisht |
| Team manager | Avinash Vaidya |
| Team mentor | Gautam Gambhir |
| Head coach | Justin Langer |
| Assistant coach | Vijay Dahiya |
| Spin bowling coach | Pravin Tambe |
| Fast bowling coach | Morne Morkel |
| Fielding coach | Jonty Rhodes |
| Physiotherapist | James Pipe |
| Strength and conditioning coach | Warren Andrews |
