Lucknow Super Giants have been playing the IPL for four years. They've won 30 and lost 28 of their completed matches and made the playoffs twice. The last two seasons have brought a bit of a lull - they finished seventh both times and they've begun this one with a loss at home against Delhi Capitals.
"I'm very unsure about LSG," former India batter Abhinav Mukund said on ESPNcricinfo's TimeOut. "They are a very young side in the IPL. So are Gujarat Titans [also formed in 2022], who are slowly building an identity towards who they are. They might have lost their first game [in 2026] but you know what Gujarat Titans will come up with on a certain day. They are top heavy. They rely on their bowlers. They rely on their experience in the middle in terms of their spinners. With Lucknow, you always feel like there is no identity within the team."
Abhinav highlighted the benefit of having Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram as part of their top three but saw holes in the team thereafter. "You expect performances from the top, you expect a sudden performance, like a Mark Wood sometimes comes up and picks up five wickets. You want those individual brilliant performances to drive your team. It's always been the case for Lucknow.
Against Delhi Capitals, LSG were bowled out for 141 in 18.4 overs. They tried Rishabh Pant as opener and shuffled Nicholas Pooran out of the No. 3 spot where he has had a lot of success down to No. 5. They also let their highest wicket-taker, Ravi Bishnoi, go into the auction last year. The reason for that was Digvesh Rathi, who made his debut last year and ended up the team's highest wicket-taker. Abhinav was critical of LSG leaving Rathi out on Wednesday. The conditions in Lucknow may have dictated that with fast bowlers enjoying plenty of help.
"Even today, I felt the balance of the team was pretty off, seven batters and four bowlers," Abhinav said. "And then you had to sacrifice your find of last season. I know he may not have followed that up with an excellent domestic season. He's not been amongst the wickets. He's not had a great domestic season but that doesn't mean - you've released Bishnoi which means you've had your faith in Digvesh Rathi and said 'okay, you are my number one spinner and you don't play him the first match."
LSG play their next game on Sunday, against Sunrises Hyderabad which is likely to throw up different challenges considering it will be an afternoon game.