New Delhi, Nov 17 (NationPress) South African cricketer Aiden Markram expressed his delight at being retained by the Lucknow Super Giants for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League 2026. Reflecting on his previous season with the franchise, Markram stated that he had a wonderful experience and is eager for what lies ahead.

Last season, Markram showcased his talent by scoring 445 runs in 13 matches, maintaining an average of 34.23 and a strike rate of 148.83, which included five half-centuries. His impressive performance also included taking four wickets, solidifying the team's confidence in him, leading to his retention for IPL 2026.

In a video shared by the franchise, when asked about his reaction to being retained, Markram responded, “It’s fantastic. I really enjoyed my time with the Lucknow franchise last year. I formed great friendships and cherished the months spent with the team. I’m incredibly grateful to be retained and can’t wait for another season.”

When questioned on how he plans to approach the upcoming season differently, he noted, “To succeed in the IPL, teamwork is crucial. We weren’t too far off last season. A few key moments could have changed our results. Qualifying for the knockouts is just a matter of a few improvements. We need to avoid overcomplicating things and focus on what we did well last season to secure more crucial victories.”

Despite changes in their lineup and leadership, LSG struggled to improve their standing in IPL 2025. With Rishabh Pant taking the captaincy from KL Rahul and Zaheer Khan joining as mentor, the team again fell short of the playoffs, finishing seventh—mirroring their previous season's performance.

The team faced a series of defeats towards the end of the league, which eliminated their chances of advancing to the knockout stage. LSG is determined to bounce back in the next season by making strategic changes before the auction.