18-MAR-2026, 1:30 PM, As the IPL 2026 season approaches, squad balance has become an important talking point, particularly in the spin-bowling department.
Among the teams facing questions over their spin options are Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Both squads have talented bowlers, but their spin departments have some areas of uncertainty compared with teams that have greater experience and depth.
This is an assessment based on squad composition and available options, rather than a definitive ranking of the two worst spin attacks.
Lucknow Super Giants
LSG’s spin department faces questions partly because of the fitness and availability of Wanindu Hasaranga.
Hasaranga is an experienced T20 leg-spinner and can play a major role in the middle overs when available. However, his injury situation creates uncertainty around how much responsibility will fall on the team’s other spin options.
Digvesh Rathi is another important option for LSG.
Rathi impressed during IPL 2025, taking 14 wickets in 13 matches, and showed that he could handle pressure in the middle overs. However, he has considerably less experience than established international spinners.
LSG also have M Siddharth and Shahbaz Ahmed as left-arm spin options.
The combination gives the franchise alternatives, but the overall unit could become less threatening if Hasaranga is unavailable.
Why Hasaranga Matters
Hasaranga’s importance comes from his ability to take wickets rather than simply restrict scoring.
A leg-spinner who can attack during the middle overs can disrupt partnerships and force batters to change their approach.
If Hasaranga is unavailable, LSG may need Rathi and their other options to take on greater responsibility.
That could put additional pressure on the team’s pace attack.
The concern is therefore less about a complete lack of spinners and more about whether LSG have enough experienced wicket-taking depth.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH have a different problem.
Their spin department contains several young or relatively inexperienced options, including Zeeshan Ansari and Harsh Dubey.
Both players have potential, but SRH do not have the same level of established specialist spin experience as some other franchises.
Kamindu Mendis can also provide an option, while other players may contribute part-time spin depending on the combination selected.
That gives SRH flexibility, but it also means the franchise may need younger bowlers to take on important roles.
SRH’s Lack of an Established Lead Spinner
One of the biggest concerns surrounding SRH is the absence of an obvious, established lead spinner who can be relied upon throughout the tournament.
Recent analysis has described the SRH spin department as one of the least experienced in IPL 2026.
The franchise therefore faces an important tactical question: whether to trust its younger spinners or use part-time options to cover certain match-ups.
This could become particularly important on pitches that offer assistance to spin.
Spin Options Compared
Team | Key spin options | Main concern |
LSG | Wanindu Hasaranga, Digvesh Rathi, M Siddharth, Shahbaz Ahmed | Hasaranga’s availability and limited depth |
SRH | Zeeshan Ansari, Harsh Dubey, Kamindu Mendis and part-time options | Lack of established specialist experience |
The two teams have different weaknesses.
LSG have an experienced international spinner but face uncertainty around his availability.
SRH have several options but less proven experience at the top level.
Mumbai Indians Also Need Attention
Mumbai Indians should not be ignored in this discussion.
The five-time champions have Mitchell Santner, Mayank Markande, Atharva Ankolekar and AM Ghazanfar among their spin options.
Santner provides international experience, while Markande offers an established Indian leg-spin option.
However, analysis of the IPL 2026 squads has also identified Mumbai’s spin department as an area that could be weaker than some other teams.
This shows why declaring any two teams as definitively the “weakest” would be too strong.
Why Spin Matters in IPL
Spin bowling plays a major role in T20 cricket, particularly during the middle overs.
A successful spinner can:
- Break partnerships
- Reduce the scoring rate
- Force batters into risky shots
- Exploit slow or turning pitches
- Create favourable match-ups
Teams with multiple quality spinners can also change their bowling combinations depending on the venue and opposition.
This flexibility becomes particularly useful during a long IPL season played across different Indian grounds.
LSG’s Best-Case Scenario
LSG’s situation could improve significantly if Hasaranga is fully available.
A combination involving Hasaranga and Rathi could give the franchise both experience and youth.
M Siddharth and Shahbaz Ahmed could then provide additional left-arm options depending on the match situation.
If Rathi builds on his 2025 performance, LSG could have more depth than the pre-season assessments suggest.
SRH’s Best-Case Scenario
SRH’s best-case scenario depends heavily on the development of their younger spinners.
If Zeeshan Ansari and Harsh Dubey can handle pressure and consistently bowl economical spells, the team’s spin department could become more effective.
The availability of part-time options also gives SRH the ability to use different combinations.
However, relying heavily on inexperienced bowlers creates greater uncertainty than having a proven international spinner leading the attack.
The Role of Team Selection
The final playing XI will be important for both franchises.
Neither team necessarily needs to play several specialist spinners in every match.
Conditions, opposition batting combinations and venue characteristics will influence selection.
A team may choose one specialist spinner and use an all-rounder for additional overs.
This makes the depth of the entire bowling group important, rather than simply counting the number of specialist spinners.
What Could Change During the Season?
Pre-season analysis can only provide an assessment of squad strength.
A player’s form, injury status, pitch conditions or tactical changes can significantly alter the picture once matches begin.
A young spinner who performs well in the opening games could quickly become a first-choice option.
Similarly, an experienced bowler struggling for form could create an unexpected weakness.
That is why LSG and SRH should be viewed as teams with spin-related concerns, rather than teams guaranteed to have the two weakest spin attacks.
Conclusion
Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad enter IPL 2026 with some questions around their spin-bowling depth.
LSG have a proven international spinner in Wanindu Hasaranga, but his availability and the experience of the backup options remain important factors. Digvesh Rathi provides promise after taking 14 wickets in IPL 2025.
SRH have several young spin options, including Zeeshan Ansari and Harsh Dubey, but their lack of an established specialist lead spinner creates greater uncertainty.
Mumbai Indians are another team worth watching because their spin unit has also been identified as an area of relative weakness.
Ultimately, the quality of these attacks will depend on player availability, form, venue conditions and how teams use their combinations.
Rather than calling LSG and SRH definitively the two weakest spin attacks, it is more accurate to describe them as two teams entering IPL 2026 with notable questions in the spin department.
Sources: CricTracker, InsideSport and IPL squad analysis.
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