Ambati Rayudu Backs Eliminated LSG as Potential IPL Title Contenders
A Bold Prediction Amidst a Disappointing Campaign
In a surprising turn of events, former Indian cricket team batter Ambati Rayudu has made a bold claim regarding the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Despite the franchise officially crashing out of the playoff contention for the third consecutive year in the group stages, Rayudu suggests that the current iteration of the squad is playing at a level that could win the entire tournament if they were currently in the final four.
A Season of Two Halves
The Lucknow Super Giants’ 2026 campaign has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. The team began the season with a flicker of hope, winning two of their first three matches. However, this promising start was followed by a disastrous freefall that saw them lose six matches in a row. This mid-season collapse cemented their status as the first team to be mathematically eliminated from the 2026 season.
Currently languishing in tenth place on the points table with only four wins in twelve matches, the team has struggled with significant inconsistency. While the bowling unit—anchored by the impressive performances of Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan—has shown flashes of brilliance, the batting lineup has been plagued by instability. Constant changes to the batting order have prevented the side from finding a rhythm, with Mitchell Marsh remaining one of the few consistent bright spots throughout the campaign.
The Impact of Josh Inglis
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Ambati Rayudu highlighted a critical turning point for the team: the arrival of Josh Inglis. Although Inglis was unavailable for the majority of the tournament, his late-season inclusion has provided much-needed stability to the middle order. Rayudu noted, “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.”
