Lucknow Super Giants

The Lucknow Super Giants team came into being only in 2021 and played its first season a year later, 14 years after the formation of the Indian Premier League. Thus, unlike teams such as 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals and five-time champions Mumbai Indians, the LSG franchise has a very brief history but they ensured they etched a place in the memory of fans through some spectacular performances throughout their debut season. The activity of LSG Twitter played a significant role as well in ensuring the team can sustain itself with an organic following.

Super Giants instantly made headlines even before the tournament began by acquiring KL Rahul as their marquee player and captain for a record-breaking INR 17 crore, making him the joint highest-paid player in the league’s history at the time. Acquiring fellow superstars such as Marcus Stoinis and Quinton de Kock ensured the team had a keen fanbase anticipating it to get the ball rolling when the time comes. 

The Lucknow Super Giants players started off with a loss against fellow debutants Gujarat Giants but bounced back with three wins on the trot, cementing themselves as legitimate challengers early on in the tournament. Later in the event, Lucknow went one better with a four-match winning streak only to have their streak halted by the Titans once again, succumbing to a team record low total of 82 against them.

Nevertheless, Lucknow Super Giants cricket outlined their true spirit in the last round-robin game as Rahul and Quinton became the first pair in T20 history to bat all 20 overs without being dismissed, piling on a massive score of 210. The latter’s 140 also became the third-highest score in the history of the tournament. However, opponents Kolkata Knight Riders were on the brink of chasing it down with three required of the final two deliveries when Evin Lewis sprinted in from the deep to take a one-handed sliding blinder – the grab was later named the catch of the season. The win saw them end third on the points table and set up an eliminator clash against eventual finalists Royal Challengers Bangalore who won the high-scoring affair by 14 runs.

At the latest IPL auction, Lucknow Super Giants cricket made several improvements to the LSG squad 2023 including splashing INR 16 crore for Nicholas Pooran. Mark Wood is also set to return from injury after missing the previous edition, and the addition of internationally acclaimed all-rounders Romario Shepherd and Daniel Sams is hoped to compensate for the departure of Jason Holder. The additions for the new session has definitely made the side one of the betting favorites

On March 7, 2023, the owner of Lucknow Super Giants unveiled a new jersey through LSG Twitter, replacing the original aquamarine blue with a darker shade carrying hints of orange.

CEO: Raghu Iyer

Head Coach: Andy Flower

Assistant Coach: Vijay Dahiya

Mentor: Gautam Gambhir

Bowling Coach: Andy Bichel

Spin Bowling Coach: Narendra Hirwani

Fielding Coach: Richard Halsall

Physiotherapist: James Pipe

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Warren Andrews

Team Manager: Avinash Vaidya

Team Doctor: Nelson Pinto

Despite being just a year old, Lucknow Super Giants have managed to acquire a considerably large fanbase as is reflected in their social media following across platforms. While the fact that they belong to the most densely populated state plays a major role in their popularity, the presence of Lucknow Super Giants players such as KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, and Gautam Gambhir further helped boost their following. Now, the addition of the explosive Nicholas Pooran and redemption hero Jaydev Unadkat to the LSG squad 2023 is bound to further aid the team in increasing their fanbase.

The franchise already has 1.3 million followers on Instagram and 303K on Facebook while LSG Twitter has 653.7K followers.

• KL Rahul: A calculated batter who has the ability to clear the stands while looking as elegant and graceful as a baller dancer, KL Rahul paid dividends to the franchise immediately with an impressive first season yielding 610 runs. The Indian vice-captain only missed out on the purple cap due to a phenomenal season by Jos Buttler but nevertheless further improved his T20 average to a stupendous 42.71. The opener recently has received flak for his inability to switch gears albeit his career T20 strike rate of 136.93 suggests otherwise.
• Avesh Khan: Having announced himself on the big stage with the Delhi Capitals in 2021 by scalping 24 wickets in the season, the right-arm quick became the most expensive uncapped player in the history of the IPL when he was acquired for INR 10 crore for the LSG squad in 2022. The 26-year-old quick has since already played 20 internationals for India and enjoyed a decent debut season for his new franchise, ending up with 18 wickets at an average of 23.11. Khan is one of the few Indian pacers capable of breaking the 140kph barrier and operates as a typical modern pacer with a slew of variations in his arsenal, be it the slower ball, the cutters or the stock seamer
• Quinton de Kock: The South African superstar was perhaps the most key buy for the franchise given he is one of the few cricketers with the experience of winning multiple IPL trophies. Quinton de Kock had already established himself as one of the greatest IPL players of recent times at Mumbai Indians when he was bought by the owner of Lucknow Super Giants for INR 6.75 crore at the 2022 auction after the franchise outbid his former team. The wicketkeeper-batter has 2,764 IPL runs to his name in 92 outings at an average of 32.14 and a strike rate of 133.91, more than 500 of which came in the last season itself. The opener also holds the third-hoghest score in tournament history with his 140* in 2022 against Kolkata.