The beautiful game of cricket has several intricacies, and fast bowling is one aspect that offers it sheer brilliance and sensation. Seeing a bowler at his mark, loading up with the ball as ammunition, striding ahead towards the crease, and delivering fast is an electrifying sight. Stepping up, setting the speed gun on fire, and hitting the top mark, visible as speed on the big screen, is an incredible moment in the game. As exciting as it can get, the chill of pace bowling is an immense source of adrenaline among the players and viewers. 

To master the skills of fast bowling, it takes a great amount of hard work, practice, rhythm, momentum, and innumerable accurate run-ups. To bowl the fastest ball in the match and for the history books is a beholding sight and requires immaculate strategies, strength, and consistency. To be counted as one of the fastest bowlers in the cricket world is a matter of humongous pride and an indication of pure greatness. 

Creating dread among the batters and overpowering them in the modern formats of the game is quite tough. Speed bowling is one tool, if employed and executed at its best, can bundle out the opposition in a jiffy. The protagonists of these are a rare species of players who possess the ball like venom and have set records for the same. Here is a look at the top ten fastest bowlers in the world who are currently in the game and actively plying their trade. 

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Mitchell Starc

The tall and lanky left-arm fast bowling sensation from Australia often takes the cricketing universe by storm because of his sensational pace. He is currently the fastest bowler in the world, having clocked an unimaginable speed of 99.7 miles per hour in a test match against New Zealand in 2015. His average speeds are in the high 140s kph, and his smooth action makes him look aesthetic while delivering balls. When he spearheads the bowling attack of any team, a fear is instilled among the batters, and this attribute has made him one of the highest wicket-takers for his nation, currently at 382 wickets in tests. His potent fitness while being a pacer is a testament to his focused approach towards meticulous practice, planning, and workload management. 

Haris Rauf

The skiddy bowler from Pakistan is a white ball specialist. He began his international career as a T20 player and soon got opportunities in the ODI circuit as well. He is tall, bangs the surface hard, and extracts extra bounce off the pitch. In a match against England in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, Australia, he bowled at 99 miles per hour, sending rocket waves across the bowling fraternity. He is a regular player in his national side and has accumulated 206 wickets, so far, in limited-overs cricket. His average bowling speed nears 150 kmph on many occasions. 

Lockie Ferguson

The Kiwi bowler is a great customer of batters' wickets. His sheer pace, complemented by impeccable bounce, line, and length, makes it extremely tough to score against him. His rhythmic bowling action makes his task look effortless. He regularly plays in the IPL and is a great asset for any team. Once in the 2022 season, playing for the Gujarat Titans against the Rajasthan Royals, he produced a magical delivery worth 157.3 kmph and set the speed gun ablaze. For New Zealand, he has, so far, taken 163 wickets in white ball cricket.

Umran Malik

The speedster from Jammu and Kashmir was the talk of the town even before his debut in professional cricket. His raw pace, coupled with youthful energy, made him a fast bowling sensation. This put him in the category of a rare breed of pacers, an asset that could serve India and IPL cricket for years to come. In the 2022 IPL season, playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Delhi Capitals, he bowled a superfast delivery, measured at 157 kmph in the speed metrics. It became the second fastest ball in that season and earned him a place in the National side. He, however, has been very unfortunate with injuries and has missed out on a lot of game time over the years, hoping to return very soon and produce similar goods for which he became popular. 

Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav rose in the ranks while playing for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2024 season of IPL. His impressive performances from the time he got an opportunity made the cricket pundits and viewers talk about him quite a lot on social media. In a match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he clocked a top speed of 156.7 kmph and took everyone by surprise. Delivering that fast at a tender age and also scalping a few wickets made him a player to watch out for ahead. He, too, has lacked the rub of the green in his strides and has dealt with injuries very frequently. 

Mark Wood

The English quick is one of the fastest bowlers in the world and among only a few who possess the ability to turn the tide in his team's favour purely by fiery pace bowling. He sprints like an athlete and delivers fire. At times, his absence from the England team make their attack look bleak and without any venom. Of late, his improved fitness has made him play a lot more matches than he used to in the past, and that is good for the game itself. During the test tour of Pakistan in 2022, he bowled a ball at 156.6 kmph and became the fastest bowler in England's history. He has taken 255 wickets across formats for his nation yet. 

Anrich Nortje

The South African right-arm speedster has an average bowling speed of around 150 kmph. His bowling resonates with business, and so does his serious looks. Playing for the Delhi Capitals and bowling to Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler, he sent waves across the world by recording a gobsmacking speed of 156.22 kmph. The Protea pacer, however, has been less economical over the years and has gone for a few in his overs on numerous occasions. Injuries have pegged him back quite a lot. He currently bowls quick but needs to be smart enough in disguising the batters to sustain himself further in the game. 

Kagiso Rabada

Another bowler hailing from South Africa is an all-format player for the National side. Known for his consistency, Rabada has been a go-to bowler for whichever team he has played in, at all levels. He might lack express pace when compared to other bowlers in the list, but if coupled with the right line and lengths, it apparently seems quite threatening. In IPL 2019, he produced a delivery having a speed of 154.23 kmph. Kagiso has 327 test wickets to his name. 

Jofra Archer

The Caribbean-born pacer became eligible to play for England in 2019 and was fast-tracked into the National side just before the ODI World Cup scheduled in the same year. This news sent seismic waves across the cricket world, and Jofra Archer has been associated with sheer pace since his inception. His raw speed and unparalleled accuracy make it a nightmare for opposition batters, and time and again, he has displayed that. 2019 was a glorious year for him, and he made his name by performing impressively well in the World Cup and the Ashes. 

Mohammad Shami

The Indian pace bowler is known to have the best seam position of the ball. He makes the ball talk at his own will, seaming and swinging notoriously. Delivered at a great pace, it becomes extremely difficult for the batters to negotiate his overs and spells, especially in the longest format of the game. His action is flawless and equivalent to poetry in cricket. His skills affirm the fact that fast bowling is all about rhythm. For India, Shami has struck 462 times across the three formats. 

Mayank Yadav again ruled out owning a back injury from the remainder of IPL 2025. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) cashed in INR 3 crores to bring New Zealand international Will O'Rourke as his replacement.

Before ruling out of the tournament, Yadav was able to play only 2 matches for him. Due to injury concerns, the Indian pace sensation missed the entire initial half of the league, and after making a comeback against Punjab Kings, he took a couple of wickets in exchange for 40 matches.

In the following match, Yadav's performance was below average, spending a whopping 60 runs in his 4-over limit without taking any scalp. That was one of the most expensive bowling figures as an LSG bowler. Overall, the 22-year-old has played only two games, picking up two wickets at an expensive economy rate of 12.50.

Fast and Furious! Kiwi pacer Will O’Rourke joins the Super Giants family! 💙

He replaces Mayank Yadav who is set to miss the rest of the season due to injury. pic.twitter.com/Gq8YKY8oTs

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 15, 2025

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A series of injuries for Mayank Yadav 

Before the IPL 2025, Mayank was going through a recovery session at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence and then joined the LSG camp on April 16. After sustaining a back injury, his recovery was further detailed for a toe injury. Even in the 2024 edition of the IPL, he participated only in four contests and then was ruled out due to a side strain. 

"Lucknow Super Giants have roped in New Zealand pacer William O'Rourke as an injury replacement for Mayank Yadav. Yadav sustained a back injury and is ruled out for the remainder of the season. William O'Rourke will join the squad at a reserve price of 3 crore," the IPL said in a statement.

Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) pace sensation Mayank Yadav has rejoined the squad after an extended rehabilitation stint at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. The 22-year-old last played in October 2024 for India in a T20I against Bangladesh, but a back injury, followed by a toe issue, delayed his return. On Tuesday night, Mayank received clearance from the BCCI medical team and officially joined the LSG camp. He was originally expected to feature in the clash against Chennai Super Kings earlier this week.

Acquired for ₹11 crore, Mayank's return is being handled with caution by the LSG management. Mentor Zaheer Khan confirmed that his fitness was closely monitored and developed at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Head coach Justin Langer also expressed his confidence in Mayank’s current form and readiness. The pacer's comeback is expected to provide a vital boost to the injury-plagued LSG pace attack, which has been facing consistent setbacks throughout the season.

Also Read: WATCH: Preety Zinta hugs Yuzvendra Chahal after Punjab Kings thrilling win against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025

Injuries have hampered LSG’s bowling unit, with Mohsin Khan ruled out due to a calf injury and Akash Deep and Avesh Khan joining late. As a result, Shardul Thakur has taken over the lead role in the pace department. With four wins from seven matches, LSG are currently at fifth on the IPL 2025 points table.

Watch the video of his return;

⚡ 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐊 ⚡ 𝐘𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐕 ⚡ 𝐈𝐒 ⚡ 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 ⚡ pic.twitter.com/c0G5p3svMA

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 16, 2025

Is Mayank Yadav Fit To Play LSG vs RR Match?

Mayank Yadav, known for his raw pace and ability to trouble even the best batters, was forced to miss the early part of IPL 2025 due to injury setbacks. A recurring back issue, sustained during India’s T20I series against Bangladesh, kept him sidelined. These injuries halted his momentum just when he was emerging as one of the most promising young pacers in the country.

Now back with the Lucknow Super Giants squad, Mayank’s participation in the upcoming clash against the Rajasthan Royals is still uncertain. The franchise’s medical team, led by physio Ashish Kaushik, will thoroughly assess his fitness before making a final call. If cleared, Mayank is expected to feature in the high-stakes encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday evening. LSG will be hoping for a positive update, as his return could provide a much-needed boost to their injury-hit pace attack and strengthen their campaign going forward.

The young pace sensation, Mayank Yadav, is set to return to the Lucknow Super Giants after a long injury layoff in IPL 2025. According to a report by India Today, Mayank will rejoin the squad on Tuesday, April 15. The 21-year-old speedster had been sidelined due to a back injury but has now been declared fit by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The LSG management had retained him for ₹11 crore despite his limited appearance in the previous season.

After a promising IPL 2024 campaign, where he featured in only four matches, Mayank was expected to return by early April. However, his comeback was delayed due to an unfortunate toe injury caused by accidentally kicking a bed. Head Coach Justin Langer earlier revealed this unusual incident, which added to the team’s concern about Mayank’s availability. Thankfully, he has now completed his rehabilitation and will be assessed by the LSG coaching staff before being considered for match play.

Now medically cleared to play, the final decision on Mayank Yadav’s return to the playing XI rests with the Lucknow Super Giants’ coaching unit. They will monitor his match fitness closely in training before giving him the green light. Known for his raw pace and aggression, Mayank’s presence is expected to bolster LSG’s bowling attack significantly. Fans and team management alike are hopeful that his comeback will bring the much-needed firepower to their campaign as the tournament progresses.

🚨 GOOD NEWS FOR LUCKNOW 🚨

- Mayank Yadav is likely to join the LSG squad tomorrow. [Sports Tak] pic.twitter.com/iPfRqP1ahb

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 14, 2025

ALSO READ: IPL 2025: PBKS vs KKR Match 31 - A Head to Head breakdown

Mayank Yadav’s return boosts LSG ahead of crucial clash against CSK

Mayank Yadav’s return will be a significant boost for Lucknow Super Giants, especially considering the team has managed to perform impressively despite limited resources. Earlier this season, LSG brought in Shardul Thakur as a replacement player, and he has delivered a steady performance. However, it's important to remember that Shardul was brought in as a substitute for Mohsin Khan, the team’s left-arm pace option.

Currently, Lucknow Super Giants sit 4th on the IPL 2025 points table, having secured 4 wins from their 6 matches. Their upcoming clash is against Chennai Super Kings, scheduled for Monday, April 12, at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

After LSG’s most recent IPL 2025 encounter, head coach Justin Langer addressed the media in a post-match press conference that took a surprising spin. Just as Langer took questions on the team’s opening performance, his phone started ringing, an unintentional distraction that set off chuckles throughout the media room. “Might be Mayank calling to say he’s ready,” he quipped, warming up the crowd before delving into the less jovial news.

Mayank Yadav’s Recovery

Perhaps the most exciting thing from that press conference was Langer’s positive news of young pace prodigy Mayank Yadav. Indeed, “He’s recovering really well. The medical team is happy with his progress, and we’re hopeful of seeing him back in the squad soon,” Langer said. Yadav, who raised eyebrows this season with his raw pace, had to withdraw at the last minute due to an injury. His comeback is suddenly looking pretty good.

Also Read: IPL 2025: 3 players who can replace Rishabh Pant as LSG captain

The Role of the National Cricket Academy (NCA)

One of the positives among the many difficulties surrounding the BCCI and Indian cricket was Langer’s commendation of the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where Mayank has been rehabilitating. We hope that the NCA is indeed a center of excellence. “The NCA is truly a center of excellence. Their facilities and expertise have been instrumental in Mayank’s recovery,” Langer noted. He went on to underscore the vital role of such infrastructure in making sure players come back not just sooner but better and fully ready to play. 

Follow for more: https://www.cricketwinner.com/

A phone call in the middle of the press conference 📞

Good news on Mayank Yadav's recovery 📰

And the importance of National Cricket Academy (BCCI's COE) 👏

🎥 #LSG Head Coach, Justin Langer, has a field day at the post-match press conference 😊#TATAIPL | #LSGvMI pic.twitter.com/JAolaa5GTo

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 4, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025: PBKS vs RR – New Chandigarh stadium stats and status preview

If fit, Mayank’s return will be a massive boost for the Lucknow side, who will hope to build some momentum as the tournament progresses towards the business end of the season. His outstanding express pace and wicket-taking ability provide a much-needed edge to their bowling attack. 

With key players getting back to full fitness and the squad continuing to play in fits and starts, any supporter of LSG has plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Langer’s entertaining press conference didn’t just provide a comedic diversion, though; it instilled optimism. This is particularly true with Mayank Yadav’s return around the corner.

IPL 2025: LSG Pacer Mayank Yadav’s Return Delayed Due to New Injury

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will begin their IPL 2025 campaign on Monday against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam. But just before their first match, they’ve been hit with bad news fast bowler Mayank Yadav has suffered a new injury, delaying his return to the tournament. LSG has already been struggling with injuries to their key Indian pacers Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep.

Mohsin has been ruled out for the entire season, and on Sunday, LSG announced that all-rounder Shardul Thakur will take his place in the squad. Mayank had a dream start in IPL 2024, impressing everyone with his raw pace, regularly clocking over 150 kph, and winning the Player of the Match award in his first two games.

 But injuries have kept him away from cricket ever since. He was recovering from a back injury at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, and last week, reports suggested he could be back in the first half of April. However, on Sunday, LSG head coach Justin Langer shared that Mayank has suffered a fresh injury, pushing his return to the final week of the tournament.

LSG head coach Justin Langer revealed that their star pacer Mayank Yadav has faced another injury on his road to recovery.
........................
The young fast bowler kicked his toe on the bed and suffered an infection. His return has been further delayed due to the injury. pic.twitter.com/MKfsNOVpEx

— Indian Funda (@Raj_Royal_11) March 24, 2025

"Mayank was making good progress with his back injury, but unfortunately, he stubbed his toe on the bed and got an infection. That has delayed his recovery by a week or two," Langer explained. "But he’s back on his feet. We keep getting videos of him bowling, and I saw one just yesterday. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for the final stretch of the tournament."

Updates on Other Injured Pacers

LSG’s fast bowling department has taken a big hit with injuries. While Mohsin Khan is out for the season, there’s hope for Avesh Khan and Akash Deep. "Avesh is close to making a return. He’s expected to clear his fitness test at the NCA tomorrow, and if all goes well, he’ll be back soon. Akash Deep is also recovering well he’s bowling at 90% intensity and has completed his yo-yo test, so he’s almost there," Langer added.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025: Bhuvneshwar Kumar injury update: RCB drops hint on CSK match availability

LSG will kick off their season under their new captain Rishabh Pant, who was bought for a record ₹27 crore in last year’s mega auction. Interestingly, their first match is against Pant’s former team, Delhi Capitals.

Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a talent nursery, and upcoming talents have been given the perfect platform to establish themselves. With the next season in 2025, some of India's budding cricketers are ready to take the spotlight. Here are ten young players who could be the next sensation in IPL 2025.

1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)

At the age of just 13, Vaibhav Suryavanshi created history by being the youngest player ever picked in an IPL auction. Rajasthan Royals put their money on his big-hitting abilities, signing him up for ₹1.10 crore. Despite being very young, his raw talent has already made people compare him with some of the greatest hitters in the game.

2. Mayank Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants)

Mayank Yadav is the actual fast-bowling sensation, regularly delivering balls above 150 km/h. His aggression, bounce, and speed are already making cricket enthusiasts' hearts skip a beat, and he could well turn out to be a game-changing asset for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.

3. Priyansh Arya (Punjab Kings)

A promising opening-order batsman, Priyansh Arya has been going around in the domestic circuit. Punjab Kings would hope that consistency at the shorter format finds reflection in the large format too, where he can be the final nail in nailing down their batting lineup.

4. Nitish Kumar Reddy (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Nitish Kumar Reddy is a spine-tingling all-round option who impressed both with the bat and with the ball. He can offer dashing match-winning knocks as well as crucial overs and could be a game-changer in the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

5. Gurjapneet Singh (Chennai Super Kings)

Chennai Super Kings do have a propensity to invest money in young and talented fast bowlers, and Gurjapneet Singh is their newest addition. Having raw pace coupled with sharp accuracy, he might prove to be a useful bowler for CSK in the next season.

ALSO SEE: IPL 2025: Cricket Experts Predict Top 4 Teams for Playoffs

6. Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals)

A current staple in IPL, Riyan Parag continues to grow and improve as a cricketer. His batting capabilities and efficient leg-spin contribute him to being an exciting all-round cricketer for Rajasthan Royals. It can be 2025 when he fixes in as an IPL regular with stability.

7. Harshit Rana (Kolkata Knight Riders)

A temperamental young pacer, Harshit Rana has the aggressive mindset to succeed at the highest level. With bright showings in domestic cricket to his credit, he could become a key cog in the Kolkata Knight Riders' pace unit.

8. Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat Titans)

Sai Sudharsan has already proved his worth in previous IPL seasons by impressing one with his ability to build an innings and score runs when needed. Gujarat Titans will rely on him to firm up their batting order in 2025.

9. Dhruv Jurel (Rajasthan Royals)

A  wicketkeeper-batsman, Dhruv Jurel is a pressure player. With an inclination to take bowlers on and play aggressive knocks, he is an important player for Rajasthan Royals, and he could have a breakout season in 2025.

10. Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians)

Tilak Varma has already proved himself to be among the most promising young batting sensations in India. With his exquisite stroke play and calm attitude, Mumbai Indians will expect him to be one of their key middle-order contributors in IPL 2025.

LSG fast bowler Mayank Yadav is on doubt radars to be participate in the first half of Ipl which is going to start by March 22. Every franchise is gearing up with their teams as just two weeks time only left for the IPL tournament. In this mean time LSG camp is set to miss their premium fast bowler Mayank Yadav who was bought for 20 Lakhs at his base price in 2023. Though he was bought way earlier in 2022.

Due to his prolonged hamstring injury delaying his debut, he was bought back by Lucknow in 2023 for his base price and he made his dream debut of IPL 2024 against Punjab Kings. He just didn't debut it was a dream start for him who took 3 wickets for 27 runs and also bowled the fastest bowl of the season 155.8 kmph

Read more: Champions Trophy Celebrations Turned Into Clash In Madhya Pradesh Mhow

Injury Concerned Prolonged More

Mayank Yadav had a good debut which was no more than a good start but it did not prolong much he played only 4 matches of that season and was sidelined due to a lingering side strain in the last two matches he played. Despite the rehab, he was injured again in that process which made him delayed back in Ipl. 

Despite this, he was fast-tracked and made his T20 debut for India against Bangladesh.  In that series, he was found to carry another injury which caused him to immediate rehab recovery, though details of the injury were not shared by BCCI officials it was regulated that Mayank had caught up with a lower back injury in his left side. LSG director Zaheer Khan stated that they are closely monitoring Mayank Yadav's injury and are in no mood to bring him back nearby. 

Mayank Yadav Retained by Huge Price

Mayank Yadav is in Banglore now where he is being closely monitored as described the multiple injuries are prolonged given the advised break, it was early mentioned that he would be fit at the start of the IPL but Zaheer is in no mood to bring back Mayank as early, he says we want Mayank to be on field as he is one of our premium and important member and I didn't want an 100% fit Mayank, but want him to be 150% fit. 

Read more: Micheal Vaughan Praises Team India's White Ball Dominance Stating Them Best In The World

Though despite of his injury concerns he has been retained by LSG at a whopping price of 11 crore making him the highest bid among the uncapped players. He has earned this amount due to his maintaining pace of 150. Mayank Yadav may be available for later part of IPL which is not officiated yet by the franchise or by BCCI. 

The DY Patil T20 Cup is known to produce some exciting young cricketing talent and the latest clash with the raw pace of Mayank Yadav up against the up and coming talent that so to Tilak Varma! A closely watched moment from the game of Tilak Varma, One of the shining faces in Indian's batting line up right now and facing another burnishing young express wicket Mayank Yadav.

A Battle Of Skill And Speed

As seen in the viral moment from the match, Mayank Yadav was charging in with full intensity, clocking rapid deliveries in his spell. With the scoreboard reading 149 in 17.1 overs with a healthy count of 3 wickets down: The other batsman from Shivalik had smashed 30 off 20 and along with Varma (24 off 25) seemed set to make it an easy chase.
Despite Mayank Yadav 18 runs in 2.1 overs, but pace enough it kept batsmen at the throats Tilak Varma, who is well known for his cool bat was quicken resolved to skill full stroke play with Mayank aggressive bowling.

When starboy Tilak Varma faced raw pace of Mayank Yadav 💥 pic.twitter.com/7oj45w3XHQ

— Mumbai Indians FC (@MIPaltanFamily) March 1, 2025

Alwso Read: India vs New Zealand: Predicted Playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025

The Raise of Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav has been gaining momentum in domestic cricket owing to his lower-order pace, so it is a bowler to watch for. He has been touted as the next Indian speedster in his raw talent and has proven that so far in the DY Patil T20 Cup and he is all set to lead the pace revolution of future.

Tilak Varma’s Steady Approach

On the flip side, Tilak Varma looked a seasoned pro at the crease as he dealt with Mayank's bowling barrage. An experienced internationals batsman, Varma demonstrated why the lad is one of the brightest young talents in India with his big ball handling skills. What sets him apart in terms of playing any T20 game.

What It Means for Indian Cricket:

Preview of Indian Cricket Tilak Varma Vs Mayank Yadav is an engaging advert as well for what the future holds in Indian cricket Too when young fast bowlers like Mayank comes up with a new sipping game and at the same time batters like Tilak continue improving those high quality bowling faced to him. Not only pace but even bat, contests such as these are the reason cricket diehards tune in for this tournament.

Fans want to see more of that sort of clash in the DY Patil T20 Cup as it churns on and more and more of the future Indian cricket stars come together. Whether raw pace, or proficient bat however contests like these gives true cricket fan who are dated and will keep watch on the tournament.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squad boasts an excellent balance of youth and experience and some unique assets. Prior to the auction, LSG had retained a total of five players, summing up their reliable and pivotal core. They retained Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Nicholas Pooran, and Ayush Badoni. As a result, the team's core structure regarding how LSG intended to proceed had already been established.

In addition, the Uttar Pradesh-based arsenal also created history at the Indian Premier League 2025 super auction by acquiring Team India's reliable keeper batter, Rishabh Pant, for a colossal INR 27 Crore, making him the most expensive player ever purchased in the history of IPL. LSG fell head over heels for Pant after releasing KL Rahul, who commanded the team for three seasons, leading them to two consecutive playoffs. That said, here we look over the two strengths and one weakness of the 2025 LSG squad. 

Lucknow Supergiants 2025 IPL Squad: Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Ayush Badoni, Mohsin Khan, Rishabh Pant, Avesh Khan, David Miller, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Akash Deep, Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Shamar Joseph, M Siddharth, Himmat Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Digvesh Singh, Prince Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Akash Singh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Aryan Juyal.

2 Strengths:

Top-notch and promising overseas players

Apart from the swashbuckling Caribbean wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran, who has been a consistent contributor for the Lucknow-based side, the roster includes other talented international players, such as David Miller, who will bat in the middle with Mitch Marsh and Aiden Markram. Almost all foreign players are utility players who may be draughted into the XI, depending on the field circumstances.

On paper, LSG has one of the league's finest international players, and it will be intriguing to watch how they deploy them all. Marsh can open and bat in the middle of the order. Similarly, Markram can open and contribute quality four overs.

An army of power-hitters

The Lucknow Super Giants' batting lineup has some of the best power hitters. Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Ayush Badoni are key players with the bat. They can easily smash intense lengths and baffling spins, aiming for relatively long square borders in home games. As a result, LSG should be one of the stronger teams in terms of pace next season.

They are led by two of the game's top power hitters, Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran. Both floaters may switch between batting positions depending on the match scenario. The West Indian batter is, without a doubt, the best white-ball ball striker. Add Pant's flamboyance to the mixture and LSG, making him everyone's favourite in the aggressive batters category. 

1 Weakness:

Bleak and inexperienced pace attack

LSG's first-choice pacers will include Shamar Joseph, Mayank Yadav, Akashdeep Singh, and Mohsin Khan. But if any of them are injured, LSG's pace assault will weaken, forcing them to settle for less effective choices. Though Mayank Yadav is a promising campaigner for the Indian Cricket team, thanks to his lethal pace, his consistency and agility will be under the radar for his future performance.

Meanwhile, Mohsin Khan, Shamar Joseph and Akashdeep Singh possess impeccable pace. However, their experience in the shortest game format amongst the power-hitters would be scrutinised, making it a quality unit that lacked understanding. Only time will tell about how much impact they would create with quick deliveries.