Ambati Rayudu Backs Eliminated LSG as Potential IPL Title Winners
Cricket fans and pundits alike have been left scratching their heads after former India batter Ambati Rayudu made a truly audacious claim regarding the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Despite Rishabh Pant‘s men already being eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoffs race, Rayudu boldly suggested that if LSG were somehow inserted into the playoffs today, they would go on to win the entire tournament.
It’s a statement that flies in the face of LSG’s tumultuous season. Their elimination in 2026 marks a disappointing third consecutive year they’ve failed to progress beyond the group stages of the IPL. The team’s journey this season has been a rollercoaster of extremes, starting with a glimmer of hope before plummeting into a deep crisis.
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LSG’s Rollercoaster IPL 2026 Season
The Lucknow Super Giants began their IPL 2026 campaign with a promising start, securing two victories in their first three matches. This initial momentum hinted at a strong season ahead for the franchise. However, this early promise quickly evaporated as the team entered a period of freefall, suffering a devastating streak of six consecutive losses in the middle stages of the tournament. This prolonged slump ultimately led to their premature elimination, making them the first team to be knocked out of the competition.
Currently, LSG languishes in tenth place on the points table, having managed just four wins from their twelve matches. Their form has been a source of frustration for their fans, characterized by a lack of consistency and an inability to convert promising positions into victories. Despite the overall poor record, there has been a recent shift. The Super Giants have shown a mini-resurgence, winning two of their last three matches, a development that seems to have caught Ambati Rayudu’s eye.
Rayudu’s Surprising Endorsement: A Closer Look
Rayudu’s confident assessment stems from this late-season upturn in form. Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, he expressed a strong belief that LSG’s current performance levels are among the best across all teams in the league. He went as far as to say, “I think if you seed them in the playoffs, they’re going to win the IPL. That is how good they’re looking at the moment right now.”
This declaration highlights a significant paradox: a team that couldn’t qualify for the playoffs is now being touted as a potential champion. Rayudu’s analysis delves into specific improvements that have fueled his conviction.
The Impact of Josh Inglis and Batting Stability
A key factor in LSG’s recent turnaround, according to Rayudu, has been the arrival and immediate impact of Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis. Inglis, who was unavailable for the majority of the tournament, has brought much-needed stability to the batting order since his inclusion.
Rayudu praised Inglis, stating, “Inglis coming into the XI has made it so much better. He looks so stable. He’s stabilized the whole batting order around him.” This suggests that Inglis’s presence has allowed other batters to play more freely and confidently. Furthermore, Rayudu observed that Nicholas Pooran is also “getting into a little bit of form,” adding another layer of depth and danger to LSG’s batting lineup.
Bowling Prowess and Overall Team Balance
While LSG’s batting, barring the efforts of Mitchell Marsh, has largely been underwhelming and subject to frequent chopping and changing throughout the tournament, their bowling unit has consistently impressed. Young talents like Prince Yadav and the experienced Mohsin Khan have delivered notable performances, providing crucial breakthroughs and restricting opponents.
Rayudu alluded to this balanced attack when discussing LSG’s upcoming match against the Rajasthan Royals. He speculated that LSG looks capable of scoring “200-220 every game” and, with the quality of their bowling, they appear equipped to “defend it or even restrict an opponent to an under-par score.” This combination of improved batting and reliable bowling forms the bedrock of Rayudu’s surprising championship prediction.
LSG’s Role as Party-Poopers
While the playoff dream is over for the Lucknow Super Giants, they still have a crucial role to play in the remainder of IPL 2026. Their final two matches present a golden opportunity to act as ‘party-poopers,’ potentially altering the playoff aspirations of other teams.
LSG is scheduled to face the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Tuesday, a match that holds immense significance for RR as they battle for a top-four spot. Following this, they will return to their home ground in Lucknow to take on the Punjab Kings on May 23. Both these fixtures are essentially must-win encounters for their respective opponents, making LSG’s performance critical in shaping the playoff landscape.
Ambati Rayudu even went further to suggest that “Lucknow, if they play to their potential, are way ahead of RR at the moment. It’s just unfortunate that they could not do it at the start of the season. So I think Lucknow are favourites for me” against the Royals. This highlights the perceived danger LSG now poses, even in their eliminated status.
The former India batter’s bold claim serves as a fascinating perspective on a team that has endured a challenging season. It underscores the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and the potential for late-season form to reshape perceptions, even if the ultimate prize remains out of reach for LSG in IPL 2026.
