Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 38 of IPL 2026 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Match starts at 7:30 PM IST (toss at 7:00 PM IST).
Watch the live telecast on Star Sports Network and live stream on JioHotstar (app and website).
This is a bottom-of-the-table battle between two teams fighting for survival. LSG have 2 wins from 7 matches with a 4-match losing streak. KKR have 1 win from 7 matches and sit last on the points table with just 3 points. The loser of this match is essentially done for the season.
KKR’s solitary win this season came against Rajasthan Royals, breaking a run of 6 winless matches. It was a relief, but one win from seven does not fix a broken campaign. For LSG, the 4-match losing streak includes defeats to GT, PBKS, and RR. Rishabh Pant’s side started brightly but have fallen off a cliff.
LSG vs KKR IPL 2026 Match 38: Quick Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | LSG vs KKR, IPL 2026 Match 38 |
| Date | Sunday, April 26, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST (Toss at 7:00 PM IST) |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| TV Telecast (India) | Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu, Star Sports 1 Kannada (+ HD) |
| Live Streaming (India) | JioHotstar (App and Website) |
| Live Streaming (UK) | Sky Sports Cricket / Sky Go / NOW TV |
| Live Streaming (USA) | Willow TV |
| Live Streaming (Australia) | Kayo Sports / Fox Cricket |
How to Watch LSG vs KKR Live in India
On TV: Star Sports Network broadcasts all IPL 2026 matches in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Available on Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV, and D2H.
Online Streaming: JioHotstar is the exclusive platform. Plans start at ₹79/month (Mobile), ₹149/month (Super), and ₹299/month (Premium with 4K). Bundled access available through Jio, Airtel, and Vi recharge plans.
LSG vs KKR Head-to-Head Record in IPL
LSG have dominated this rivalry since their debut in 2022. KKR have struggled to find answers against Lucknow.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 7 |
| LSG Wins | 4 |
| KKR Wins | 3 |
| LSG at Ekana vs KKR | LSG lead |
| Last Meeting (Match 15, IPL 2026) | LSG won at Eden Gardens |
These two teams already met in Match 15 at Eden Gardens on April 9 this season. LSG won that match, with Rishabh Pant leading the chase and Mohammed Shami delivering a controlled spell. KKR were still winless at that point.
Since that meeting, both teams have gone in different directions. KKR finally got their first win (vs RR), while LSG have lost 4 straight. The dynamic has shifted. This is no longer a confident LSG vs a broken KKR. Both are wounded.
LSG vs KKR: Probable Playing XIs
Lucknow Super Giants Probable XI
Mitchell Marsh, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Manimaran Siddharth.
Mohsin Khan is a key addition. His left-arm pace on the bowler-friendly Ekana pitch could be devastating. Shami’s experience with the new ball and Prince Yadav’s wicket-taking ability in the middle overs give LSG a bowling attack that can exploit this surface.
Kolkata Knight Riders Probable XI
Ajinkya Rahane (C), Sunil Narine, Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (WK), Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi.
KKR may ride the winning combination from the RR match. Narine opening adds firepower at the top. Varun Chakravarthy on a bowler-friendly Ekana pitch could be KKR’s trump card. The question remains whether Green can justify his price tag with a match-winning performance.
Key Player Battles to Watch
Rishabh Pant vs Varun Chakravarthy: Pant needs a match-defining knock. Chakravarthy has been KKR’s most consistent bowler. On a surface assisting spinners, this middle-overs duel could decide the match. Pant’s sweep and reverse-sweep against Chakravarthy’s mystery variations is a chess match.
Mohammed Shami vs KKR’s top order: Shami’s powerplay swing on a seamer-friendly Ekana pitch is a nightmare for Rahane and Narine. If Shami strikes early, KKR’s fragile confidence could collapse again.
Sunil Narine vs LSG’s bowling: Narine’s all-round performance won the RR match for KKR. If he scores quick runs at the top and then chokes LSG’s middle order with his spin, KKR have a genuine chance. Narine at his best makes KKR a completely different team.
Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
The Ekana Stadium has been bowler-friendly this season. In 3 matches at this venue in IPL 2026, no team has crossed 170. The pitch has true bounce and assists pacers with the new ball.
Spinners have also found purchase. Chakravarthy and LSG’s spin options should thrive. Expect this to be a low-scoring affair where 160-170 could be a match-winning total.
Despite being an evening match, dew has been moderate at Ekana compared to venues like Wankhede. Weather: warm, around 30-35°C, no rain expected.
LSG vs KKR Match 38 Prediction
LSG are slight favourites due to home advantage and a stronger bowling attack. Shami, Mohsin Khan, and Prince Yadav on a bowler-friendly Ekana pitch is a combination most batting orders would struggle against.
KKR’s hope lies in Narine’s all-round impact and Chakravarthy exploiting the turning surface. If KKR can restrict LSG below 160 and then chase smartly, they have a realistic shot.
This is a match neither team can afford to lose. For KKR, defeat is season-ending. For LSG, a 5th straight loss would make playoffs near-impossible. Pressure defines this contest more than talent.
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Final Thoughts
LSG vs KKR at Ekana is a survival battle. Tune in at 7:30 PM IST on Sunday, April 26 on Star Sports (TV) or JioHotstar (streaming). This is the second match of Sunday’s double-header (after CSK vs GT at 3:30 PM).
LSG’s 4-match losing streak vs KKR’s last-place desperation. Shami’s swing on a seamer-friendly Ekana pitch. Pant vs Chakravarthy. Narine’s all-round threat. And a venue where no team has crossed 170 all season. This will be a grind, not a run-fest. The team that handles pressure better wins.
