IPL 2026: Ravichandran Ashwin Opines On Arjun Tendulkar’s Place In Playing XI

Ravichandran Ashwin believes Arjun Tendulkar won’t find a place in Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) playing XI in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). Arjun Tendulkar was traded by Mumbai Indians (MI) to the Lucknow based side in an all cash deal for Rs. 30 lakh before the IPL 2026 mini auction.

The former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin suggested that Arjun Tendulkar is likely to be on the bench unless there are multiple injury concerns in LSG’s pace attack.

Ravichandran Ashwin on Arjun Tendulkar’s exclusion from Playing XI. 

Speaking on his You Tube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said: “Arjun Tendulkar khelega hi nahi (Arjun Tendulkar won’t play at all), and let’s not even go there. I think it is very difficult because there are Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Mohammad Shami in this line-up. There are so many fast bowlers. How will he play? I don’t think he makes any case unless and until there are a lot of injuries.” 

Ravichandran Ashwin also shared his preferred playing XI for LSG’s opening fixture. He overlooked South African opener and captain Aiden Markram and picked Rishabh Pant as Mitchell Marsh’s opening partner.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s LSG XI: 

Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Arshin Kulkarni, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammad Shami, Avesh Khan, and Mohsin Khan. No. 12: Digvesh Rathi/Anrich Nortje.

Ravichandran Ashwin excludes LSG from top-4 finish. 

Speaking in the same video, Ravichandran Ashwin predicted that LSG won’t qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs. He stated that Lucknow weren’t a part of his top six teams for the season. The spin legend remarked: “I have pure clarity of the teams that will be in the top three. Four, five, and six is going to be a race, and LSG is not even in that four, five, or six, in my view. They will fall out of the six.” 

Ravichandran Ashwin was asked to pick the top batter and bowler for LSG in IPL 2026. He reckoned that senior pacer Mohammad Shami could be their most successful bowler. For batters, he mentioned that it could be Rishabh Pant if he played as an opener.

Ravichandran Ashwin said: “If Rishabh Pant opens the batting, he will be the best batter of LSG this year. I will go with Mohammad Shami as the best bowler.” 

LSG are set to face against the Delhi Capitals in their opening match of the season. The contest will take place at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on April 1st.

It remains to be seen whether Arjun does get a spot in playing XI for LSG. Ashwin is spot on when he says, he doesn’t see him get into the XI. The other pace bowlers are far more experienced and pedigreed at this level. So, the only hope is exodus of injuries and LSG won’t want that for sure else the tournament may get derailed for them big time.

As far as not finishing in top 4 is concerned, that is a real possibility with LSG. They seem to lack a full balanced squad. They are too top heavy in our view and dependent on them to do well all the time. With injury concerns there, it is possible that they may miss out on playoffs. Even we think they are a mid-table team not necessarily title contenders. But they will have points to prove when the tournament starts and if you get on a roll, anything can happen to any team. Momentum is a key thing in any sports any formats.

We shall see how things pan out from here for LSG and how they fare when they begin their campaign on April 1st at home against Delhi Capitals.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Ravichandran Ashwin Lavishes Praise On RCB.