If you give him the No. 6 or No. 7 role, it’s a difficult role to play

Former India player Aakash Chopra has reckoned that lower-middle-order batting could be the Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) biggest challenge in IPL 2026. He noted that Josh Inglis will find it difficult if he is asked to bat at No. 6 or No. 7.

LSG acquired Inglis for ₹8.60 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. However, it’s unclear whether the Australian wicketkeeper-batter would be available for the entirety of the upcoming edition of the prestigious league.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the former India opener highlighted the Lucknow Super Giants‘ lower-middle-order batting challenges heading into IPL 2026.

“What are the weaknesses? Instead of weaknesses, I am looking towards challenges. If Josh Inglis plays in the lower-middle order, it means four overseas batters would play, but Josh Inglis is at his best if you play him in the top four. If you give him the No. 6 or No. 7 role, it’s a difficult role to play,” he said.

While acknowledging that LSG have a few decent Indian lower-middle-order batters, Chopra pointed out that they lack experience.

“You see slight problems with players there. Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad and Shahbaz Ahmed are there. They are all good. Badoni’s form is very good, Abdul Samad hits decent sixes, but the experience is not seen in the lower-middle order,” he observed.

Citing Sherfane Rutherford, Tristan Stubbs and Tim David as examples, Aakash Chopra highlighted that IPL teams generally have at least one strong overseas lower-middle-order striker. He noted that the absence of any such player might come back to bite LSG.

“The shadow of injuries is inseparable from this team” – Aakash Chopra on LSG’s other challenges heading into IPL 2026

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the presence of injury-prone seamers could be another challenge for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.

“There is a huge injury concern among Indian fast bowlers. Mohammad Shami has come and will hopefully remain fit. Mayank Yadav is injury-prone. Then Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan. Even Anrich Nortje has come back after an injury. The shadow of injuries is inseparable from this team,” he said.

While pointing out that Wanindu Hasaranga‘s potential absence could be a challenge in the spin-bowling department, the cricketer-turned-commentator added that opposition batters might read Digvesh Rathi better in IPL 2026.

“They let Ravi Bishnoi go and picked Wanindu Hasaranga in his place. If he is also not there, there could be a challenge in spin. Digvesh Rathi was brilliant, but now, as he plays more, people will start understanding him. So he will have to reinvent himself,” Chopra observed.

Wanindu Hasaranga, who was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants for ₹2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, suffered a hamstring injury during the T20 World Cup 2026. Digvesh Rathi (14 scalps at an economy rate of 8.25 in 13 innings) was LSG’s highest wicket-taker in IPL 2025.

Edited by Kartik Iyer