IPL 2025: 5 LSG expensive flops who may not get a buyer next year

Big bids do not necessarily result in gains, and this was the case for IPL 2025 with the Lucknow Super Giants. With the 2026 mega-auction looming, five of LSG's most expensive signings disappointed so severely that they will likely struggle to get sold next season. Big names and big bids mean little without performance. As LSG look forward to 2026, these five expensive flops will have to turn around dramatically—or risk going unsold.

1. David Miller

Signed for ₹ 7.50 crore as a finisher and power hitter, South African veteran David Miller entered with a lot of fanfare. But the "Killer Miller" nickname did not lead to big scores. In 11 innings, he had scored only 153 runs at an average high in the teens and a strike rate of 127.49. While some flashes of his usual strength were there, too many starts were left unfinished, and LSG's chase plans were left in shambles when stability was needed.

2. Mayank Yadav

A gem of a talent in home cricket, budding pace bowler Mayank Yadav was acquired at a staggering ₹ 11 crore on the basis of his raw speed and yorker talent. But form and injury plotted to limit his impact. He played only 2 games, claiming 2 wickets at a brain-searing economy of 12.50. 

What seemed to be an investment in match-winning futures turned out to be a reminder of the value of availability and implementation as well as talent. Shelling premium money for a player who never got into his rhythm—and then had his back once again give way—LSG received near zero return on one of the biggest retentions of the season. His perpetual injury issues may prevent him not getting any teams.

3. Ravi Bishnoi

A T20 regular for India, Bishnoi had a price tag of ₹ 11 crore to his name going into 2025. But LSG's "go-to leggie" had a nightmare season: in 11 games, he took 9 wickets, remained wicketless in almost half the games, and conceded at 10.83 rpo, finishing with a bowling average of over 44. 

Most importantly, he failed to make crucial breakthroughs during middle overs—his bread-and-butter period—and bowled himself out of the attack more frequently than not. At that cost, LSG was looking for a match-winner; what they got was a costly workhorse who hardly spun the ball.

4. Akash Deep

Akash Deep was brought in from RCB at an ₹8 crore price tag, touted to be the right-arm medium-fast intimidator. LSG's bowling lineup was missing. But alone, talent did not fill the pockets: 3 wickets in 6 games, at a miserly 2-for-55 best, but tarnished by an economy of 12.05 rpo and a bowling average of over 76. 

Batters punished his fuller lengths in powerplays, and without notable batting efforts (6 runs at a 300 SR), Deep's all-rounder promise went up in smoke. He did not justify the price he commanded and may not even get a good team next season.

5. Shahbaz Ahmed

Regarded as the ideal spin-bat specialist, Shahbaz Ahmed signed up for ₹2.4 crore, set to be the custodian of middle overs and chip in with rapid runs. Instead, he saw the field hardly: 3 matches, 1 wicket and just 9 runs at 112.5 SR. While slow tracks favoured spinners, Shahbaz's off-spin was underutilised, and his one batting cameo yielded nothing to swing the momentum. For an outlay of a squad spot, GT would have settled for much more impact.

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