After losing the toss, Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant revealed that middle-order Madhya Pradesh batter Akshat Raghuwanshi would be handed his maiden Indian Premier League cap against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 4.
A 2.2 crore purchase during last year’s auction, Raghuwanshi had emerged as a highly sought-after prospect, particularly due to his exploits in the Madhya Pradesh League in 2025. His aggressive stroke play and ability to accelerate in the middle overs made him one of the most talked-about young batters heading into the 2026 season. The inclusion comes at a time when LSG is reeling at the bottom of the league table, with batting a major concern for them this season.
“We have three changes. Josh Inglis comes in, Mukul goes out, and Raghuwanshi is making his debut. Bowling we will decide later,” Pant said at the toss.
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Raghuwanshi’s cricketing journey began remarkably early. He started playing the game at just three years old under the guidance of his father in Gwalior. Progressing steadily through the ranks, he made a mark in age-group cricket before gaining wider recognition during the 2021–22 Ranji Trophy season. Representing the Madhya Pradesh cricket team, he announced himself in style with a century on debut against Meghalaya and followed it up with a composed half-century in his second match.
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Apart from his red-ball credentials, Raghuwanshi also demonstrated leadership qualities by captaining Madhya Pradesh’s U-19 side in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. While his List A numbers – 361 runs in 17 innings at an average of 22.81, may appear modest, his attacking intent has stood out. In the T20 format, he has featured in seven matches, scoring 63 runs at a strike rate of 131.25, showcasing glimpses of his big-hitting ability.
The right-handed batter, who idolises Rohit Sharma, truly grabbed attention during the latest edition of the Madhya Pradesh League, where he smashed 239 runs in just four matches at a staggering strike rate of 177.04, including a 115 off 56 balls. Known for his fearless approach, Raghuwanshi has developed a reputation for his audacious “no-look” upper cut, a shot that has quickly become his signature.
In a fitting twist, the youngster’s IPL debut came against, and in front of, his idol, Rohit Sharma. Despite his domestic success, an IPL contract had eluded him until Lucknow Super Giants secured his services, offering him a platform to showcase his talent on the biggest T20 stage.
LSG also made another notable change, bringing in Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who joined the squad after a brief absence due to personal commitments. However, Inglis had a short-lived outing, scoring 13 off just five deliveries before holing out to long-on off the bowling of AM Ghazanfar.
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