Lucknow Super Giants have started rebuilding after a poor IPL 2025 season, with bowling identified as the main problem area. The franchise is now using South Africa as a base to reset its fast-bowling plans before IPL 2026.
LSG will send a group of domestic pacers to Durban for a special training camp during the SA20 2025–26 season. Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan and youngster Naman Tiwari are set to be the first batch to travel.
The move is possible because none of the bowlers currently have BCCI central contracts or domestic match duties. LSG have also already taken official permission from the BCCI for the South Africa program.
In Durban, the bowlers will train with Durban Super Giants, LSG’s sister franchise in the SA20 league. The coaching setup includes familiar faces from the LSG ecosystem.
Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener, head coach Tom Moody, bowling coach Bharat Arun and analyst Carl Crowe will oversee the camp.
The main aim is to align training loads, recovery plans and match preparation with what LSG want to follow during IPL 2026. Durban offers a controlled but high-intensity environment, something the franchise believes will help fast bowlers regain rhythm.
For Avesh and Mohsin, this camp is especially important. Avesh has not played competitive cricket since the last IPL, while Mohsin missed the entire 2025 season due to injury issues. LSG want both to rebuild fitness and confidence without pressure.
The franchise is also keen on grooming 20-year-old left-arm pacer Naman Tiwari as a long-term investment. Bought for ₹1 crore at the auction, Tiwari is not part of Uttar Pradesh’s Vijay Hazare squad, making him available for early exposure.
LSG believe early overseas conditioning will fast-track his development and help him adjust to elite training standards before the IPL stage.
At the IPL 2026 auction, LSG further strengthened their squad by signing Josh Inglis for ₹8.6 crore, Mukul Choudhary for ₹2.6 crore, Akshat Raghuwanshi for ₹2.2 crore, and international bowlers Anrich Nortje and Wanindu Hasaranga for ₹2 crore each.
After a disappointing first season under captain Rishabh Pant, LSG are clearly taking no chances. With IPL 2026 starting on March 26, the Durban camp marks an early and serious push to fix their biggest weakness.