25 March,2026 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Lucknow Super Giants` players (Pic: AFP)
The IPL 2026 is all set to kick off from March 28. So far, the schedule of only first 20 matches has been released due to state elections.
Ahead of the marquee tournament, the owner of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Sanjiv Goenka, stated that his team needs to win the title to receive respect.
"I think the true identity is still evolving. For any sports team, until you win, you don't receive the same level of respect or affection that comes with lifting the trophy. Yes, we've made the playoffs twice, but that's clearly not good enough. You win some, you lose some, but we have to win our first trophy," he said on JioStar.
He then highlighted the positives from the previous edition, in which the team won four out of their first six matches. He said that Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh opened the innings, which was not their usual position.
"The positive was that we won four of our first six games despite most of our frontline bowlers being injured. There were some bold moves, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh opening, which isn't their usual position, and it turned out to be their best IPL season for both of them. Digvesh Rathi came in as a complete newcomer and did well for us. However, we did realise that we lacked a strong bowling core, and we've consciously addressed that by building a domestic Indian bowling unit this time. We're happy with what we have," said Goenka.
The owner then said that LSG's IPL 2026 squad has everything that is required and wants his team to perform as a unit and not individually.
"You can always improve, aspire to do better, there's no end to improving. But at the end of the day, this is a squad that has everything required. Now it's about coming together and performing as a unit, rather than as individuals. Last year, there were too many individuals performing. This year, we want to perform as a team," he said.
LSG will begin their IPL 2026 campaign by playing a clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
(With ANI Inputs)
