"A little bit surprised why they held on to Mayank Yadav" - Sanjay Bangar on LSG ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former India player Sanjay Bangar has expressed surprise about the Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) decision to retain Mayank Yadav ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. He reasoned that the franchise has a good backup for either Mohsin Khan or Mohammad Shami in Prince Yadav.

LSG released eight players, including trading Shardul Thakur to the Mumbai Indians (MI), ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. They have an available purse of ₹22.95 crore to buy at most six players, including four overseas, at the mini auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16.

During an interaction on Star Sports, Bangar noted that a potentially fit Mohsin could partner Shami with the new ball for LSG in IPL 2026, wondering why Mayank has been retained.

"For me, Mohsin, if he is fit, comes back because he gives you a good mix of that right-left combination. Shami, obviously, is going to enjoy bowling in those conditions suitable for seam bowling," the former India all-rounder said.

"Avesh Khan might not be a starter, but he could come in as an impact player. A little bit surprised why they held on to Mayank Yadav because they have Prince as well, who gave a very good account of himself. He can be a good backup for either Mohsin or Shami," he added.

Mayank Yadav played only two games for LSG in IPL 2025, picking up two wickets at an economy rate of 12.50. Prince Yadav accounted for three dismissals while conceding an average of 9.85 runs per over in six matches in this year's edition of the Indian Premier League.

---

"Maybe a Pathirana would be fantastic" - Sanjay Bangar on LSG's requirements ahead of IPL 2026 auction

CSK released Matheesha Pathirana ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. [P/C: Getty]

In the same interaction, Sanjay Bangar reckoned that Matheesha Pathirana might be a potential target for the Lucknow Super Giants at the IPL 2026 auction.

"They can look at acquiring an overseas quick because that is their main need. Maybe a Pathirana would be fantastic. LSG would certainly like to look at somebody like a Pathirana to beef up their fast-bowling department," he said.

The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach added that LSG would also need a backup for Digvesh Rathi.

"They would certainly want to have a backup for Digvesh Rathi from an Indian standpoint, but for me, Pathirana could be a good target for LSG going into the auction. Rathi had a very good first season, but can he replicate that?" Bangar observed.

Sanjay Bangar noted that LSG's release of David Miller ahead of the IPL 2026 auction implies that they have corrected their course. He noted that the franchise seems to have understood that a four-overseas-batter combination may not necessarily work.