Ambati Rayudu Claims Eliminated LSG Could Still Win IPL 2026

A Bold Assessment from Ambati Rayudu

In a surprising turn of events, former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu has made a bold claim regarding the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Despite the franchise being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention in the 2026 Indian Premier League, Rayudu suggests that the team’s current form is so dominant that they could realistically win the title if they were somehow inserted into the final stages of the tournament.

The Tale of a Disappointing Campaign

The 2026 season has been nothing short of a roller-coaster for the Lucknow-based outfit. After a promising start, where the team secured victories in two of their first three matches, the squad entered a downward spiral. The middle stages of the tournament were particularly harsh, with the team losing six consecutive games. This poor run of form ultimately saw them become the first team to be officially eliminated from the competition, marking their third consecutive year of falling at the group stage hurdle.

Currently languishing in tenth place on the points table with only four wins from twelve matches, the side has faced significant criticism regarding their batting consistency. While the bowling unit—led by the impressive pair of Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan—has shown flashes of brilliance, the batting order has been a cause for concern throughout the season. Constant changes to the lineup have prevented the team from finding a stable rhythm, leaving many fans frustrated with the lack of structural continuity.

The Impact of Josh Inglis

However, Rayudu points to a recent resurgence that suggests the team has finally found its footing. A key catalyst for this late-season turnaround has been the introduction of Josh Inglis. Although he was unavailable for the majority of the campaign, his arrival has provided the stability the batting order desperately needed.

Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Rayudu highlighted the influence of Inglis: “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. They’ve just come into some tremendous form. Inglis coming into the XI has made it so much better. He looks so stable. He’s stabilized the whole batting order around him. I think even Pooran is getting into a little bit of form, but they look very dangerous.”

Playing the Role of Party-Pooper

With their own playoff dreams shattered, the Super Giants now shift their focus to the role of the spoiler. Their remaining matches against the Rajasthan Royals and the Punjab Kings are pivotal for their opponents, who are fighting for their own survival in the tournament. Rayudu believes that if LSG maintains their current momentum, they will be a nightmare for any opponent.

Reflecting on the upcoming clash against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, Rayudu noted, “RR will be up against it because LSG look like they are going to score 200-220 every game. With the bowling that they have, they look like they’re going to defend it or even restrict an opponent to an under-par score. 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. So I think Lucknow are favourites for me.”

Looking Ahead

While the statistics may indicate a poor season, the late-stage confidence exhibited by the team offers a glimmer of hope for future campaigns. Whether this “mini-resurgence” is too little, too late remains a point of debate, but there is no denying the talent present in the current squad. As the league enters its final stages, all eyes will be on whether the Super Giants can sustain this level of performance against high-stakes opponents and perhaps prove that they are indeed the “silent titans” of the 2026 IPL.

Regardless of their final standing, the team’s ability to potentially disrupt the playoff race provides a fascinating subplot to the final week of the season. For the fans in Lucknow and beyond, the hope is that this late form is a sign of things to come for the following year.