🏏IPL 2026: LSG vs KKR, 38th Match, Ekana Stadium, Lucknow🏏 - Page 3

Pitch & Conditions

The Ekana Stadium surface is expected to be a black-soil pitch offering more pace and bounce than traditional Lucknow tracks.

• Pacers could get early assistance with extra zip
• Spinners will come into play as the pitch dries out
• Dew in the second innings may favour chasing teams
• Par score is likely to be around 170–180

Toss could be crucial, with teams likely to bowl first.

Team News & Key Updates

Lucknow Super Giants:
LSG’s bowling unit looks in good rhythm despite recent results. The focus will be on improving batting consistency, especially in the middle order. Mukul Choudhary remains a key finisher after his heroics in the reverse fixture.

Kolkata Knight Riders:
KKR receive a major boost with Matheesha Pathirana’s availability. However, injuries to key pacers remain a concern. Their experienced spin duo will be vital in controlling the middle overs.

Players to Watch

Rishabh Pant (LSG): Captain leading from the front in a must-win phase.

Mitchell Marsh (LSG): In strong form with the bat this season.

Sunil Narine (KKR): Can impact the game with both bat and ball.

Matheesha Pathirana (KKR): Adds a lethal edge to KKR’s death bowling.

Ami KKR

I want some points

"KKR vs LSG have produced many thrillers but LSG have ended up winning all of them. But their Win Margins - 1 Run, 2 Runs and 4 Runs, shows how interesting these match were. And of course the reverse fixture between the 2. Glad that this rivalry is getting another game this season !!"

"KKR vs LSG have produced many thrillers but LSG have ended up winning all of them. But their Win Margins - 1 Run, 2 Runs and 4 Runs, shows how interesting these match were. And of course the reverse fixture between the 2. Glad that this rivalry is getting another game this season !!"

A return to nailing his yorkers, paired with learning variations like slower bouncers, has helped Prince Yadav become one of the leading wicket-takers in the IPL this year.

Time for the toss. Pant and Rahane out in the middle. Pant gives the coin a spin. Rahane calls heads, but tails it is. LSG will field first.

Rahane: We were looking to bat first. At the moment it's important to see how we are playing as a team. Giving that freedom to the batting unit. Need to assess those conditions. We are going with the same team. That victory was very good. It's always about improvement. Had some good practice sessions, looking forward to the game

Pant: We are going to bowl first. Just one change - Linde comes in for Siddharth. We are working towards it. We have to find a way, we are pretty close to it. We know we can turn around the season from here, I am pretty confident.