India, May 7 -- Every season in the Indian Premier League, franchises acquire new players to fill the skill gaps required while keeping their core intact. As the season progresses, squad rotations become part and parcel of getting the best out of their assets. However, constant changes in every match, especially when a working formula already exists, can push a team back to square one and raise questions about the side's foundation, as seen in Lucknow Super Giants' case in 2026.

The Rishabh Pant-led side entered the tournament as one of the most experienced batting units on paper, boasting explosive overseas T20 batters such as Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Josh Inglis, and Nicholas Pooran. Despite such a star-studded lineup, the battin...