Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have taken a significant step by appointing former Australian cricketer and reputed coach Tom Moody as their global director of cricket. He replaces Zaheer Khan, whose one-year term came to an end. After a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign, where LSG won only six of their 14 matches and finished seventh on the points table, the management is looking for a major turnaround.
Having missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons after strong performances in 2022 and 2023, the franchise now hopes Moody’s vast coaching experience of more than 20 years will help them rebuild smartly ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. With the auction fast approaching, Moody’s influence could be key in identifying players who can add balance, depth, and match-winning ability to the squad.
Jordan Cox – A Dynamic Wicketkeeper-Batter Option
One of the most promising names LSG could target is England’s wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox, who has excelled in multiple T20 leagues. Although he went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, his recent form makes him a strong contender this time.
Moody recently guided Oval Invincibles to their third successive Hundred title, and Cox played a crucial role by scoring 367 runs at an average of over 61 and a strike rate close to 174. The 25-year-old has already represented England in white-ball cricket and has over 3,500 T20 runs, including a hundred and 18 fifties, across 158 matches. His ability to bat in different positions and also keep wickets gives LSG tactical flexibility, making him an ideal fit in Moody’s plans.
Saqib Mahmood – A Reliable All-Phase Fast Bowler
Another player who could strengthen LSG is England pacer Saqib Mahmood. Known for his consistency in white-ball cricket, Mahmood was also part of Moody’s title-winning Oval Invincibles squad. In the last two seasons of The Hundred, he took 14 wickets in 11 matches at an excellent average of under 19.
His international form has also been impressive, picking up 14 wickets in nine matches for England in 2025. With LSG struggling with pace options—especially overseas quicks—in IPL 2025, Mahmood’s ability to bowl in all phases makes him a valuable asset. His skillset directly addresses one of LSG’s biggest weaknesses from last season.
David Payne – A Left-Arm Pacer With Experience And Control
Left-arm seamer David Payne is another name who could benefit from Moody’s arrival. He had a strong ILT20 season under Moody, taking 10 wickets in eight games and helping his team finish as runners-up. Payne also performed well in The Hundred, picking up 10 wickets for Welsh Fire.
With LSG lacking reliable left-arm fast bowlers apart from Akash Singh, Payne’s experience of more than 200 T20 games and recent success could solve an important gap in their bowling attack. Despite going unsold in the previous auction, Moody’s presence might finally secure him his first IPL deal and offer LSG a much-needed variety in pace bowling.
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