IPL 2023: Best starting XI of LSG after mini auction

Lucknow Super Giants had a sensational run in their debut season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They notched up a string of victories and finished third on the points table with nine wins in 14 games at the end of the league stage. But unfortunately, they lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator and exited the tournament.

Ahead of the IPL 2023 auction, the Lucknow franchise moved past seven of their players, and courtesy of the releases, they went into the marquee event with INR 23.35 crore in their kitty. At the player auction, LSG left no stone unturned to acquire Nicholas Pooran and spent an insane sum of INR 16 crore to pick him. They also added T20 stars such as Romario Shepherd, and Daniel Sams to their arsenal.

Given so many gun players are in Lucknow's team, it will interesting what playing XI the team management decides to go with in the coming season.

Best Starting XI of LSG ahead of IPL 2023

1. KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been one of the consistent performers in the T20 circuit in the last couple of years. The ace batter has played 72 T20Is and notched up 2265 runs at a strike rate of 139.12. He has been a run machine in the cash-rich league and amassed 3889 runs in 109 matches at a strike rate of 136.22.

Rahul can shepherd the innings beautifully while the stroke-makers around him can take the bowling apart. He has an aggressive aspect to his game as well and has dismantled top-quality attacks for fun with his swashbuckling stroke play.

The Lucknow franchise handed the leadership duties to Rahul and the 30-year-old carried out the responsibility to the best of his abilities. He led from the front and scored 616 runs in 15 matches during the 2022 season at a strike rate of 135.38. LSG would expect their skipper to be at his prolific best in the upcoming IPL season.