Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have never been the kind of franchise that makes the loudest noise before a season begins. They go about their business quietly, build their squad thoughtfully, and generally let the cricket do the talking. Heading into IPL 2026, one decision in particular has caught the attention of former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, and he has not held back with his thoughts on it.
LSG open their IPL 2026 campaign on April 1 against Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, and as they prepare for that opener, the spotlight is firmly on two young Indian fast bowlers who have had anything but a smooth ride over the past couple of seasons.
Why Irfan Pathan feels LSG’s approach is different?
Pathan pointed out that not every team shows such patience. According to him, LSG’s decision to stick with these young Indian pacers is rare and commendable, especially when the team already has strong overseas batting options like Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran. He stressed that the onus is now on the bowlers to make the most of this support.
“Mayank Yadav has played six matches in two years, it is not enough. He is a retained player. He has to be available this year. If there is no place for him in the team, then that is a separate thing. The franchise has supported him. Mohsin Khan missed last year entirely, and even in the seasons before, he has not played all the games. But they have been backed; no other franchise does this. I have seen KKR and MI do it, but many franchises run out of patience after one or two seasons,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
A clear challenge for the young pacers
With LSG relying heavily on Indian seamers alongside experienced names like Mohammad Shami and Avesh Khan, young pacers Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav carry a big responsibility to step up and justify the franchise’s backing.
Beyond the two retained pacers, LSG also have Prince Yadav and Naman Tiwari as part of the bowling options, giving Rishabh Pant reasonable depth. But Mayank’s pace, which made him a talking point when he first appeared, has everyone eager to see him back in full flow.
If both pacers can stay fit and perform at their best, LSG could surprise a few teams this season. That is exactly what the franchise hoped to achieve by backing them.
