Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have released the experienced finisher. david miller Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction, which is scheduled to be held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. 16th December is the date of this much awaited event.
Miller was bought by LSG in the IPL 2025 mega-auction for Rs 7.5 crore. This happened when his former franchise Gujarat Titans decided not to bid for him. The southpaw was expected to play a key role as a finisher for a team that had excellent top-order batsmen like Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran.
However, after performing brilliantly for Gujarat Titans in three consecutive seasons, Miller suffered a rare setback at his new franchise in IPL 2025. He scored just 153 runs in 11 innings at an average of 30.60 and strike rate of 127.49. His highest score was just 27*.
Will LSG have to pay a big price to release David Miller ahead of IPL 2026 auction?
Now. The important question is whether LSG made a mistake by sending Miller to the auction. To answer this it is necessary to go back to last season. In IPL 2025, Miller had to be dropped from the team in favor of an overseas fast bowler as LSG's plan of deploying an all-India bowling attack was not working. They also struggled with injuries to their key fast bowlers throughout the season. Players like Shamar Joseph and William O'Rourke played for them at different stages to strengthen the bowling department.
Nevertheless, the bowlers conceded runs and were the main reason for LSG failing to reach the playoffs. However, they have already started to address the issue by adding the experienced Mohammed Shami via trade from Sunrisers Hyderabad.
When in form, Shami is as good as any foreign fast bowler. This could allow LSG to continue with the all-India pace attack in IPL 2026 and could similarly include Miller in the eleven. While there are finishers like Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni in the LSG setup, no one comes close to Miller in terms of experience in that role.
Apart from this, Markram had a great campaign in IPL 2025. However, if he is unable to continue, LSG may consider Marsh opening the batting with in-form Arshin Kulkarni. This may free up a foreign slot. In that situation, Miller could ideally have played in the middle order.
LSG have retained Mathieu Bretzke, also a top-order batsman, who can also slot into the middle order. However, he is not a finisher. Therefore, retaining Miller could have given a different dimension to the LSG setup.
However, LSG are unlikely to re-sign Miller in the auction. If the 36-year-old is available at a price lower than his previous salary, the Rishabh Pant-led team should try to bring him back.
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