A team with an imposing batting line-up comprising Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant can send shivers down the spine of any bowling unit. Yet, Lucknow Super Giants endured a forgettable IPL 2026 campaign, getting eliminated after a loss to Chennai Super Kings in its 11th game.

As has been the case throughout the tournament, LSG’s batting fortunes nosedived after a blistering start provided by Josh Inglis, another power-hitter in the team’s armoury in Sunday’s game against CSK.

Tom Moody, LSG’s director of cricket, admitted that inconsistent batting performances, particularly in the middle order, hurt the team this season, saying the side repeatedly failed to build on strong starts and finish innings strongly.

“If we look at our season from a broad lens, I think our batting has let us down, particularly our middle order. It hasn’t shown the consistency that’s required to have success consistently… our batting hasn’t fired, so we’re exposed down the back-end of the innings.”

He also spoke about the impact of injuries and unavailable players on the team balance, especially the absence of Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

“Hasaranga was a significant miss for us because he was a really important key to the puzzle of how we were trying to stack up as a side. He offered that point of difference with a mystery spinner and also depth at No. 8.”