Ambati Rayudu Claims Eliminated LSG Could Win IPL 2026 in Current Form

The Rayudu Verdict: LSG’s Late Surge Sparks Bold Claims

The landscape of the IPL 2026 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). While the points table tells the story of a team languishing in tenth place with just four wins from twelve matches, former India batter Ambati Rayudu sees a different narrative. Speaking recently on the current form of the franchises, Rayudu suggested that the Lucknow-based side is currently the most dangerous unit in the league, despite their official elimination from the tournament.

Rayudu’s comments come at a time when LSG has finally found a winning combination, albeit too late to save their campaign. For the third consecutive year, the Super Giants have failed to progress beyond the group stages, a statistic that weighs heavily on the franchise. However, Rayudu believes that if the tournament were to restart today or if LSG were somehow granted a spot in the playoffs, they would be the favorites to lift the trophy.

A Season of Extremes: From Top Form to Freefall

To understand Rayudu’s perspective, one must look at the erratic journey LSG has endured in IPL 2026. The season began with genuine promise; the Super Giants looked like early favorites after clinching two victories in their first three encounters. However, the momentum vanished as quickly as it arrived. What followed was a disastrous mid-season slump that saw the team lose six matches in a row. This catastrophic run effectively sealed their fate, making them the first team to be officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Despite the disappointment of elimination, the last three matches have seen a mini-resurgence. LSG has managed to win two of their last three games, displaying a brand of cricket that was missing during their middle-order collapse. It is this specific window of form that caught Rayudu’s eye. “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,” Rayudu stated during an analysis on ESPNCricinfo.

The Josh Inglis Impact and Batting Stability

A significant factor in LSG’s late-season improvement has been the arrival and integration of Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis. Due to availability issues, Inglis missed the majority of the first half of the tournament, leaving a void in the top and middle order that the team struggled to fill. Since his inclusion in the XI, the batting unit has looked noticeably more composed.

Rayudu credited Inglis with providing the anchor that the team desperately needed. “Inglis coming into the XI has made it so much better. He looks so stable. He’s stabilized the whole batting order around him,” Rayudu observed. With Inglis providing a reliable platform, other explosive hitters like Nicholas Pooran have found the freedom to play their natural game. While Mitchell Marsh remained the only consistent performer throughout the struggles, the late-season form of Pooran and the stability of Inglis have transformed LSG into a side that looks capable of posting 200+ totals with ease.

Bowling Bright Spots: Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan

While the batting has been a work in progress, the bowling department has offered several silver linings for the Lucknow management. Prince Yadav has emerged as a genuine find of the season, consistently troubling top-order batters with his pace and accuracy. Alongside him, the experienced Mohsin Khan has continued to prove his worth as a premier left-arm quick.

Rayudu highlighted that this bowling attack, combined with their newfound batting rhythm, makes them a formidable opponent for any of the top-four teams. He noted that LSG currently possesses the rare ability to either defend a total or restrict opponents to under-par scores, a balance they lacked during their six-game losing streak.

Playing the Role of Spoiler: The Road Ahead

Although the trophy is out of reach, LSG finds itself in the unique position of being the ultimate “party-pooper” for teams still vying for a playoff spot. Their remaining schedule features high-stakes matches against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Both RR and PBKS are in desperate need of wins to secure their post-season berths, and an in-form LSG stands directly in their path.

Looking ahead to the clash in Jaipur, Rayudu placed LSG as the favorites over the Rajasthan Royals. “RR will be up against it because LSG look like they are going to score 200-220 every game,” he predicted. “Lucknow, if they play to their potential, are way ahead of RR at the moment. It’s just unfortunate that they could not do it at the start of the season.”

Conclusion: Lessons for IPL 2027

The tragedy of LSG’s 2026 campaign is the realization of what could have been. As the team prepares for their final games in Jaipur and their home ground in Lucknow, the focus will shift toward building on this late momentum for the next cycle. If the franchise can retain the core that Rayudu finds so impressive—and ensure player availability from the start—the “potential winners” tag might finally become a reality in the seasons to come. For now, they remain the most dangerous team that the playoffs will never see.