Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka confirmed that discussions regarding player retention ahead of the November 15 deadline have begun. In the 2025 season, LSG, led by India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, finished seventh on the points table with six wins from 14 matches.
The Lucknow-based franchise had reached the playoffs in its debut IPL seasons in 2022 and 2023.
“IPL retention talks for @LucknowIPL are underway. Delighted to have @TomMoodyCricket on board, bringing immense experience and strategic insight. Great discussion with @RishabhPant17, Justin Langer, and Bharat Arun as we plan for the season ahead,” Goenka posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.
In the accompanying photo, Goenka was joined by his son and LSG co-owner Shashwat Goenka, head coach Justin Langer, bowling coach Bharat Arun, team analyst Shrinivas Chandrashekaran, and newly appointed global director of cricket Tom Moody.
Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, LSG made several changes to its coaching setup. While Langer retained his role as head coach, Bharat Arun joined as bowling coach, and Carl Crowe was appointed spin bowling coach. Tom Moody recently took over as the team’s global director of cricket, succeeding Zaheer Khan.
Once the retention process concludes, the mini-auction for IPL 2026 is expected to take place on December 15 or 16 in Abu Dhabi.
Regarding player retentions, LSG faces a few tough decisions. Promising pacer Mayank Yadav, retained for ₹11 crore, remains in rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru after undergoing back surgery in Christchurch, New Zealand, in July. His recovery is ongoing, and he is unlikely to be available for the first half of IPL 2026.
Meanwhile, overseas players David Miller, Arshin Kulkarni, and Shamar Joseph underperformed during the 2025 season. There has also been speculation that all-rounder Shardul Thakur may be traded to another franchise before the retention deadline, though no official confirmation has been made.