New Delhi, Dec 16 (NationPress) The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are considering acquiring Liam Livingstone, the English batting all-rounder, in the upcoming IPL 2026 auction to enhance their lower-order batting strength, as per insights from former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif.

The IPL 2026 auction is scheduled for Tuesday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where LSG will enter with a budget of Rs 22.95 crore, aiming to fill six positions, including four for overseas players.

After releasing David Miller prior to the auction, LSG's main objective is to find a suitable replacement for him.

“Liam Livingstone is a name that comes to mind. He excels as a finisher, typically batting at numbers five or six. With Miller's departure, Livingstone stands out as a direct replacement. Although his recent form has not been stellar, he possesses substantial experience and a commendable strike rate,” stated Kaif, a JioStar expert, during an exclusive interview with IANS ahead of the mini auction.

LSG enters the auction boasting a strong Indian pace attack, bolstered by the inclusion of seasoned bowler Mohammed Shami and emerging talent Arjun Tendulkar. Their addition provides extra support for pacers Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Mayank Yadav, who have been grappling with injuries.

Kaif believes LSG should also target either South African bowlers Anrich Nortje or Lungi Ngidi as their overseas fast-bowling options to ensure squad balance.

“Firstly, I sincerely hope that Avesh Khan and Mayank Yadav return to full fitness, as it has been nearly six months. Lucknow will be hoping for their recovery. The next question is whom they should pursue. They need overseas fast bowlers,” he added.

“Nortje could be a valuable asset, particularly considering Lucknow’s large ground and red soil pitch, which can aid in generating bounce and pace. Hence, they might consider targeting Nortje, but it’s imperative that the injured players regain fitness before making a choice between Nortje or Ngidi,” he elaborated.

As for spin options, Digvesh Rathi remains the only wrist-spinner on LSG’s roster, highlighting a need for additional talent in this area during the auction.

After releasing Ravi Bishnoi, augmenting their spin department with an experienced player to complement Rathi will be crucial for LSG’s strategy.

Kaif pointed out that they may need to explore uncapped spin options, as Bishnoi might command a high price at the auction.

“One concern is that LSG might not have sufficient funds to reacquire Bishnoi at a premium. Other franchises like KKR and Chennai possess ample budgets, and by the time Bishnoi’s name is called, numerous teams might be vying for him. With Rathi emerging as Pant’s preferred leg-spinner, the question remains who will partner with him? LSG may struggle to afford a high-priced spinner, so they should target untapped leg and left-arm spinners available at a lower cost during the auction,” he added.

Catch all the excitement from the TATA IPL 2026 mini-auction on December 16, starting at 2:30 PM, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.