Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will field Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Marsh, and Mohammed Shami, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) rely on Ajinkya Rahane, Matheesha Pathirana, and Varun Chakravarthy in Match 38 of IPL 2026 at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST.
Currently, LSG sit 9th with two wins from seven matches and a four-game losing streak, whereas KKR occupy the bottom spot with just one win from seven outings. Although LSG’s last victory came against KKR earlier this season, both sides desperately need two points to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
LSG Playing 11 Today
Because LSG have lost four straight games, changes to the batting order are likely. Accordingly, Mitchell Marsh (396 runs at avg 39.6, SR 151.14) and Ayush Badoni are expected to open, since Marsh has been LSG’s most consistent batter this season.
Furthermore, captain Rishabh Pant bats at No. 3 and keeps wickets, while Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram add middle-order firepower. Additionally, Mukul Choudhary provides lower-order batting depth as a backup wicketkeeper option.
On the bowling front, Prince Yadav holds 13 wickets and sits 2nd on the Purple Cap leaderboard with an economy of 8.38. Moreover, Mohammed Shami leads the attack with 7 wickets at an economy of 8, while Mayank Yadav adds express pace above 150 kmph. Besides that, Mohsin Khan and Digvesh Singh Rathi complete the bowling unit.
LSG Predicted XI: Mitchell Marsh, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Mayank Yadav.
KKR Playing 11 Today
Since KKR finally broke their six-match winless streak with a victory over RR, confidence should be higher. Consequently, Ajinkya Rahane (293 runs, avg 36.63, SR 150.25) and Tim Seifert continue opening, although Rahane will need a big innings to stabilize the top order.
Besides that, Cameron Green at No. 3 provides all-round value, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi (285 runs, avg 40.71) keeps wickets and bats in the middle order. Additionally, Rinku Singh and Rovman Powell handle the death overs with power-hitting, while Sunil Narine adds spin all-round balance.
In terms of bowling, KKR have added Matheesha Pathirana to their lineup, bringing slingy Sri Lankan pace. Moreover, Vaibhav Arora leads KKR’s wicket charts with 14 scalps at an economy of 11.24. However, Varun Chakravarthy remains KKR’s trump card on the slower Ekana surface, where spin traditionally finds grip.
KKR Predicted XI: Ajinkya Rahane (C), Tim Seifert, Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (WK), Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Matheesha Pathirana.
Impact Player Picks for Both Sides
LSG Impact Sub: Wanindu Hasaranga
Since the Ekana pitch assists spinners in the middle overs, Wanindu Hasaranga becomes a natural impact sub for LSG. Specifically, his leg-spin and lower-order batting give Pant a dual-purpose weapon, and therefore LSG gain an extra dimension against KKR’s left-hander-heavy lineup.
KKR Impact Sub: Anukul Roy
Similarly, Anukul Roy offers KKR a left-arm spin option that suits the Ekana surface. Because the pitch slows down significantly in the second innings, Anukul’s accurate line and length also complement Narine and Chakravarthy to create a three-pronged spin attack.
Key Players to Watch in Match 38
Firstly, the battle between Mitchell Marsh and Varun Chakravarthy in the powerplay could define the game, since Marsh has scored 396 runs this season but struggles against mystery spin. Similarly, Rishabh Pant versus Sunil Narine in the middle overs promises a spin duel between two IPL legends.
| Player | Team | Role | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Marsh | LSG | Opener / All-rounder | 396 runs; avg 39.6; SR 151.14; LSG’s most consistent batter |
| Rishabh Pant | LSG | Captain / WK-Batter | Match-winner; aggressive finisher; captains from behind the stumps |
| Prince Yadav | LSG | Pacer | 13 wickets; 2nd Purple Cap; economy 8.38; 5 powerplay wkts |
| Mohammed Shami | LSG | Pace Spearhead | 7 wickets; economy 8.00; LSG’s senior bowling leader |
| Ajinkya Rahane | KKR | Captain / Opener | 293 runs; avg 36.63; SR 150.25; leads from the front |
| Vaibhav Arora | KKR | Pacer | 14 wickets; leading KKR wicket-taker; economy 11.24 |
| Varun Chakravarthy | KKR | Mystery Spinner | Effective on slower surfaces; KKR’s trump card in middle overs |
Head-to-Head Record: LSG vs KKR
Across 7 IPL meetings, LSG hold a commanding 5-2 lead over KKR. Notably, 3 of LSG’s wins have come by margins of 4 runs or fewer, making this the tightest rivalry in the IPL.
| Category | LSG | KKR |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 7 | 7 |
| Wins | 5 | 2 |
| Highest Score | 238/3 | 235 |
| Lowest Score | 137 | 101 |
| Most Runs | Quinton de Kock (243) | Sunil Narine (161) |
| Most Wickets | Mohsin Khan (6) | Sunil Narine (5) |
| Record at Ekana | — | 1 win (2024) |
Additionally, the 2025 Eden Gardens thriller produced a combined 472 runs, with LSG posting 238/3 and KKR falling 4 runs short at 234/7. However, KKR’s only Ekana win came in 2024, when they chased 162 with 4.2 overs and 8 wickets to spare.
Pitch Report & Weather Forecast
Firstly, the Ekana Cricket Stadium pitch is traditionally sluggish, making shot-making difficult in the middle overs. Furthermore, LSG’s home win rate at Ekana stands at just 2 wins from 10 matches since IPL 2025, which is the lowest of any team at their home ground.
Secondly, the Lucknow weather forecast shows extreme heat with a high of 41°C, cooling to around 31°C by match time. Consequently, there is no chance of rain, but heavy dew will arrive during the second innings, making chasing the preferred option.
Besides that, spinners find significant grip on this surface, especially as the pitch deteriorates through the evening. As a result, Chakravarthy, Narine, and Hasaranga will play crucial roles in controlling the run rate during the middle overs.
Match Prediction: Who Wins Today?
Lucknow Super Giants enter as slight favourites despite their four-match losing streak, especially since they have a dominant 5-2 H2H record and know the Ekana conditions inside out. Specifically, LSG’s bowling attack with Prince Yadav, Shami, and Mayank Yadav is far superior to KKR’s misfiring unit.
On the other hand, KKR carry the momentum of their first win against RR and the addition of Pathirana’s slingy pace. However, Arora’s economy of 11.24 and KKR’s death-bowling struggles remain a significant concern on a pitch that rewards disciplined bowling.
As for the toss, the captain winning the flip will almost certainly bowl first to exploit the dew later. Ultimately, LSG are predicted to win this contest and therefore snap their losing streak while keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.
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Final Word
To sum up, the LSG vs KKR Match 38 is a bottom-of-the-table clash where both teams desperately need a win to stay relevant. If Marsh fires in the powerplay, then KKR’s bowlers face a tough evening on the sluggish Ekana surface.
Otherwise, Rahane’s recent form and Pathirana’s pace could spring a surprise for the three-time champions. Either way, this Sunday night promises a survival battle between two sides fighting to avoid the wooden spoon.
Disclaimer: Playing XIs, impact substitutes, and predictions draw on pre-match reports and may change based on the toss, fitness updates, and final team announcements.
