Lucknow Super Giants assistant coach Lance Klusener praised his team’s bowling unit after back-to-back wins while describing his overseas batsmen as “sleeping giants” who are yet to fire in IPL 2026. He expressed confidence that the team’s recent success on the road will translate into strong performances at home as they prepare to take on Gujarat Titans at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 12.
The remarks come as LSG look to build momentum at the start of the season. The three overseas powerhouses Klusener referred to – Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran – were key to LSG’s push for a top-four finish last season. However, the team eventually finished seventh among the ten sides, following a disappointing campaign from both their Indian batting and bowling units.
“Yeah, probably sleeping giants, and that’s probably good,” Klusener told reporters at a pregame news conference.
During IPL 2025, LSG’s overseas batsmen had a record season, led by Marsh, who scored 627 runs in 13 matches. Along with him, Pooran and Markram also crossed the 400-run mark, which is the first time in IPL history that three overseas players from one franchise have scored more than 400 runs in a single season.
Conversely, in IPL 2026, it was the Indian batting contingent that took charge of the scoring, with captain Rishabh Pant and Ayush Badoni leading the charge. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Mukul Chaudhary made a match winning 54 off 27 balls lead LSG to victory against Kolkata Knight Riders.
“We got over the line twice in three games. Rishabh was outstanding. I thought Badoni was outstanding and of course Mukul too. But I think Nicky P (Pooran), Aiden to some extent and Mitch are the sleeping giants.”
AARON FINCH ON THE SINGH RINK:
His innings against LSG just looked completely out of place. It was almost like he wasn’t following the ball as closely as he could. He tries to play a shot, but all his weight goes away from the ball. pic.twitter.com/TpCfJeAWdl— KKR Caravan (@KkrKaravan) April 11, 2026
BOWLING UNIT OUT
Klusener also praised the recent success of the team’s bowling team, highlighting their ability to serve under pressure and reduce the burden on the batting line-up.
“I think what has been outstanding is the bowling,” he said. “We got over the line but I think the bowling unit was absolutely outstanding. If there’s one thing you can rely on from last year, it was the way the boys bowled as a group this year.”
The season has already brought he put on a strong performance by Mohammed Shamiwho returned figures of 2 for 9 in four overs, destroying the explosive top order of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Delhi pacer Prince Yadav also impressed, picking up five wickets to surpass last year’s tally in fewer matches.
Meanwhile, Avesh Khan has been consistent, taking three wickets at an average of 21.22, further bolstering LSG’s bowling attack as they look to climb the order.
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Published on:
11 Apr 2026 18:38 IST
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