Aakash Chopra picks LSG's probable playing XI for IPL 2026, makes huge prediction about Mohammed Shami

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) finished at No. 7 on the points table last year, winning just six out of their 14 matches. The Rishabh Pant-led side will look to bounce back strongly in the upcoming edition og the Indian Premier League (IPL).

While picking LSG’s playing XI, Chopra said that Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and skipper Rishabh Pant will certainly start. The former India opener named Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, and Shahbaz Ahmed as the batters to follow, with Himmat Singh in contention to be slotted in an the Impact Player.

“What could be the XI? Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant – no-brainer. Then you will see Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad and Shahbaz Ahmed playing. You might see Himmat Singh as an impact player in the middle,” he said.

Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the T20 World Cup after injuring himself in Sri Lanka’s first game in the tournament. Chopra said that if the Sri Lankan spinner isn’t there, Digvesh Rathi, Mohammed Shami, and Avesh Khan could start, with either Mayank Yadav or Mohsin Khan being the other seamer in the XI. The cricketer-turned-expert stated that either Himmat or Mukul Choudhary could be used as the Impact Player.

“If Wanindu Hasaranga isn’t there, they may want to pivot and play Digvesh Rathi, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, and one of Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan. Then you will have impact player options in Himmat Singh and Mukul Choudhary,” he observed.

Aakash Chopra backed Aiden Markram and Mohammed Shami to finish as the highest run-getter and highest wicket-taker, respectively, for the LSG in the upcoming IPL season.

“Who will score the most runs? Aiden Markram one more time. He is that kind of a player. He will play all matches. Who will take the most wickets? I would say Mohammad Shami. He will be fired up,” Chopra stated.

Make the powerplay huge, with both bat and ball: Chopra

Chopra advised the Super Giants to make good use of the powerplay, with both bat and ball. He also suggested that one of their top four batters should look to bat around the 18th over.

“What will be their strategy? Make the powerplay huge, with both bat and ball. With the bat, keep hitting fours and sixes. Score 60-70 runs in the first six overs. The top four to just crack it. You want at least one of the top four to remain till around the 18th over,” he said.

“Whoever among the top four players should try to stay till around the 18th over, so that when an Indian kid comes from the other end, you are the one who is taking responsibility and ownership. The game plan will be the same with the ball. Strike blows in the powerplay. That is where you grab the bull by its horns because death bowling might be a bit of a concern,” Chopra observed.

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