IPL 2026: Aaron Finch names players Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) must retain ahead of the mini-auction

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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) face critical decisions ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, scheduled tentatively for mid-December. The mini-auction comes after the mega auction in 2025 and offers franchises an opportunity to reshuffle their squads ahead of the new season. With a retention deadline looming, LSG must carefully decide whom to hold onto and whom to release, as they seek to improve upon a challenging 2025 campaign.

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch recently, speaking to Star Sports, shared his opinions by using ‘hold’ or ‘fold’ on which Lucknow Super Giants players should be retained ahead of IPL 2026. Finch evaluated key players based on their performances, fitness concerns, and potential impact on the squad.

These insights show Finch advocating a mix of retention based on fitness and impact. The emphasis remains on retaining power hitters and bowlers who offer match-winning qualities, while letting go of players with recurring injury problems or inconsistent performances.

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Lucknow  had a turbulent 2025 IPL season, finishing seventh in the league—a position they equalled as their worst finish in franchise history. The team managed only six wins from 14 matches, falling short of expectations despite significant investment, including the Rs 27 crore acquisition of captain Rishabh Pant. LSG showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency and struggled with injuries among key players.

The franchise’s management reportedly expressed dissatisfaction, particularly scrutinizing leadership under Pant and coaching staff like Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan. The team’s all-Indian bowling attack, while cost-heavy, often failed to deliver collectively. Key players such as Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Akash Deep played limited matches, impacting the side’s balance and effectiveness. This stop-start season has heightened the need for strategic retentions and smart acquisitions at the auction.​

With the IPL 2026 auction slated for mid-December, LSG’s retention choices will be critical in reshaping their squad to bounce back strongly. Finch’s expert views provide a helpful guide for the franchise’s decisions, prioritizing fitness, match-winning potential, and tactical balance as the team prepares for another competitive IPL campaign.

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