Lucknow Super Giants: History, Home Ground and Profile of the IPL Franchise

Lucknow Super Giants, usually shortened to LSG, are one of the two new teams that joined the Indian Premier League in 2022, along with Gujarat Titans. The franchise represents Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, and it brought the league’s total number of teams to ten.

Creation of the franchise

The Board of Control for Cricket in India invited bids for two new franchises in October 2021. The Lucknow team was awarded to the RPSG Group, led by the industrialist Sanjiv Goenka, for a reported fee of around ₹7,090 crore, the higher of the two winning bids. The group had previously owned Rising Pune Supergiant, a franchise that played in the IPL in 2016 and 2017 while Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were suspended.

Home ground

The team plays its home games at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, officially named after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The ground opened in 2017 and has hosted international matches, including fixtures in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The surface has often been slower and lower than many IPL grounds, which has led to lower-scoring games and made spin bowling an important part of the team’s plans.

First seasons

LSG reached the playoffs in both of their first two seasons, 2022 and 2023, but lost the Eliminator on each occasion. In 2022 they lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore, and in 2023 they were beaten by Mumbai Indians. Qualifying for the knockout stage in each of their first two seasons was seen as a strong start for a new team.

Approach and identity

The franchise has used a blend of experienced Indian internationals, overseas players and young prospects, and it has expanded its backroom staff and scouting structure in Uttar Pradesh. The club has worked to build a fan base across the region.

Looking at the league

As a young franchise, Lucknow has not yet won the title, and it has relied on a home venue that rewards patient batting and good bowling. The team has become a regular part of the IPL calendar and provides the state of Uttar Pradesh with a high-profile top-level cricket team.