Rajasthan Royals are predicted to beat Lucknow Super Giants in Match 32 of IPL 2026 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Vs
Ekana Cricket Stadium
22 April 2026 07:30 PM
Both teams enter this fixture on losing streaks – LSG have lost three consecutive matches and are languishing at 9th, while RR have dropped their last two after starting the season with 4 straight wins.
However, RR’s superior squad quality and 4-2 head-to-head dominance make them slight favourites despite the away venue.
LSG vs RR Match 32: Complete Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 32 |
| Tournament | IPL 2026 (TATA Indian Premier League) |
| Date | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Toss Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar App & Website |
LSG vs RR Head-to-Head Record in IPL
RR dominate this young rivalry with 4 wins in 6 matches against LSG since Lucknow joined the IPL in 2022.
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 6 |
| RR Wins | 4 |
| LSG Wins | 2 |
| First Meeting | April 10, 2022 (RR won) |
| Most Recent | April 19, 2025 (LSG won by 2 runs) |
| Last 5 Results | RR 3 – LSG 2 |
While RR lead overall, LSG won the most recent encounter in 2025 – a thrilling 2-run victory that shows they can compete in this fixture.
Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch Report for LSG vs RR
The Ekana Stadium is one of the slowest surfaces in IPL 2026 – a complete contrast to the batting paradises of Chinnaswamy and Wankhede.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Slower surface, grip for spinners |
| Avg 1st Innings Score (IPL History) | ~173 |
| Pace Bowling | Bounce and seam available for hit-the-deck bowlers |
| Spin Factor | Significant grip; spinners dominate middle overs |
| Toss Trend | 14 of 24 IPL matches won by bowling-first team |
| Dew Factor | Moderate dew in 2nd innings under lights |
| Key Insight | Batting is not easy early; batters need time to settle |
This pitch should suit Jadeja and Bishnoi from RR’s side, and Prince Yadav and Manimaran Siddharth from LSG’s camp.
Power hitters like Sooryavanshi and Pooran will need to adjust their approach on this surface – slog-sweeps and innovative shots are more effective here than brute force.
Lucknow Weather Forecast for LSG vs RR Match
| Parameter | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature (Match Time) | 35–41°C (extreme heat) |
| Humidity | 25–35% |
| Rain Chance | 0% |
| Wind Speed | Light breeze |
| Dew Factor | Expected in 2nd innings |
| Conditions | Clear skies, scorching heat |
Lucknow is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures exceeding 41°C. Player fitness will be severely tested.
No rain expected. A full 40-over contest is guaranteed.
LSG vs RR Toss Prediction
At Ekana, 14 of 24 IPL matches have been won by the bowling-first team, which clearly favours chasing.
With dew expected in the second innings, the toss winner will almost certainly choose to bowl first.
Toss Prediction: Bowl first. Both Pant and Parag will want to chase on this slower surface.
Key Players to Watch in LSG vs RR Match
Here are the Key Players to watch:
For Lucknow Super Giants
1. Prince Yadav (Fast Bowler)
11 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 17.18 – LSG’s standout performer and the most impactful pacer in their squad.
His ability to hit the deck hard and extract bounce from the Ekana surface could trouble RR’s top order.
2. Rishabh Pant (Captain/WK)
Pant has 147 runs at 29.40, but his strike rate of 136.11 against RR historically (avg 44.78) suggests he can deliver tonight.
On a surface where batting is harder, Pant’s inventive strokeplay becomes even more valuable.
3. Mukul Choudhary (All-rounder)
The young finisher has 127 runs at SR 149 this season and has been LSG’s most reliable lower-order option.
His match-winning 54 against KKR showed composure beyond his years.
4. Mohammed Shami (Fast Bowler)
Shami has 20 wickets in 15 career matches against RR – the most by any LSG bowler against the Royals.
His experience and ability to swing the new ball make him critical in the powerplay.
For Rajasthan Royals
1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Opener)
246 runs at a strike rate of 236.54 – the breakout star of IPL 2026.
He scored 46 against KKR in the last match and will be eager to unleash his full potential at Ekana.
The key question: can he adapt his ultra-aggressive approach on Ekana’s slower surface?
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Opener)
223 runs at the top – Jaiswal’s composure provides the perfect complement to Sooryavanshi’s aggression.
On a surface where time at the crease matters, Jaiswal’s anchoring ability becomes even more critical.
3. Ravi Bishnoi (Leg Spinner)
10 wickets in 6 matches – RR’s leading wicket-taker and a proven match-winner on spinning surfaces.
Ekana’s grip should suit his style perfectly, making him arguably the most important bowler in this contest.
4. Ravindra Jadeja (Spin All-rounder)
Jadeja’s 2/8 against KKR in 3 overs showed what he can do when conditions assist spin.
On Ekana’s slower surface, his left-arm orthodox combined with sharp fielding and handy batting makes him a genuine match-winner.
LSG vs RR Probable Playing XIs
Here are the Probable 11 of both Teams:
Lucknow Super Giants Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Marsh | Opener/All-rounder |
| 2 | Aiden Markram | Opener |
| 3 | Rishabh Pant (C/WK) | Top Order |
| 4 | Matthew Breetzke | Middle Order |
| 5 | Ayush Badoni | Middle Order |
| 6 | Mukul Choudhary | All-rounder |
| 7 | Mohammed Shami | Fast Bowler |
| 8 | Avesh Khan | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Prince Yadav | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Manimaran Siddharth | Left-arm Spinner |
| 11 | Mohsin Khan | Fast Bowler |
| Himmat Singh (Impact Player) | Middle Order |
Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opener |
| 2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Opener |
| 3 | Dhruv Jurel (WK) | Middle Order |
| 4 | Riyan Parag (C) | Middle Order |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Middle Order |
| 6 | Donovan Ferreira | Finisher |
| 7 | Ravindra Jadeja | Spin All-rounder |
| 8 | Jofra Archer | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Nandre Burger | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Brijesh Sharma | Medium Pacer |
| 11 | Ravi Bishnoi | Leg Spinner |
| Sandeep Sharma (Impact Player) | Medium Pacer |
Notable change: Shimron Hetmyer enters RR’s starting XI, adding experienced left-handed firepower to the middle order.
Why Rajasthan Royals Will Win This Match
Superior Overall Squad Quality
Sooryavanshi (246 runs), Jaiswal (223 runs), Archer, Bishnoi (10 wickets) – RR have match-winners in every department.
Even on their worst day, this squad has more firepower than LSG’s current combination.
4-2 Head-to-Head Dominance
RR have won 4 of 6 meetings and 3 of the last 5. They own this rivalry.
Spin Duo on a Spinning Surface
Bishnoi and Jadeja bowling together on Ekana’s gripping surface is a nightmare combination.
Against LSG’s struggling batting lineup, this spin pair could control the entire middle overs phase.
LSG’s Home Form Is Terrible
LSG have lost both their home matches at Ekana this season. There is no home advantage to speak of.
Why LSG Could Still Pull Off a Win
Prince Yadav’s X-Factor
11 wickets in 6 matches – if Yadav strikes early against Jaiswal or Sooryavanshi, LSG can put pressure on RR’s fragile middle order.
Ekana’s Slow Surface Levels the Playing Field
On a flat batting paradise, RR’s explosive batters destroy teams. But on Ekana’s slower pitch, raw power is neutralised.
If LSG’s bowlers maintain discipline, they can restrict RR to 170–180 and make the chase competitive.
RR’s Middle Order Is Fragile
Captain Riyan Parag has three single-digit scores in 6 innings. If Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi fall early, RR’s middle order could crumble.
Desperation Breeds Intensity
LSG are on the verge of seeing their playoff hopes evaporate. Sometimes that desperation produces performances that form doesn’t predict.
LSG vs RR Betting Odds and Win Probability
| Team | Betting Odds | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Lucknow Super Giants | 2.10 – 2.20 | ~45–47% |
| Rajasthan Royals | 1.80 – 1.88 | ~53–56% |
RR are slight favourites, but the Ekana pitch and LSG’s home crowd keep the odds competitive.
LSG vs RR Match 32 Prediction: Who Will Win Today?
Predicted Winner: Rajasthan Royals
| Factor | LSG Edge | RR Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Head-to-Head | 2 wins in 6 matches | 4 wins (including 3 of last 5) |
| Current Form | 3-match losing streak | 2 losses but 4 wins overall |
| Top Order | Markram (162 runs), Marsh (155 runs) | Sooryavanshi (246 runs, SR 236), Jaiswal (223 runs) |
| Bowling | Prince Yadav (11 wkts), Shami experienced | Bishnoi (10 wkts), Archer (first-ball wkts), Jadeja |
| Home Record | Lost both home matches at Ekana | Won at various venues; adaptable squad |
| Key Weakness | Pooran averaging 10.25; worst IPL season | Parag – 3 single-digit scores in 6 innings |
| Captain Form | Pant – 147 runs, inconsistent | Parag – struggling badly |
| Spin Factor | Siddharth + Prince on home surface | Bishnoi + Jadeja (proven on slow pitches) |
Despite both teams being on losing streaks, RR’s squad quality and firepower give them the edge.
LSG’s home form has been non-existent, and their batting – particularly Pooran’s catastrophic season – leaves them vulnerable.
The key contest will be Bishnoi and Jadeja on Ekana’s gripping surface vs LSG’s struggling batters – and based on current form, the RR spinners hold the advantage.
Predicted Margin: RR to win by 15–20 runs (if batting first) or 5–6 wickets (if chasing).
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Final Verdict
This LSG vs RR clash features two teams desperate to stop their losing streaks – but only one has the firepower to do it.
RR’s explosive top order, world-class spin duo, and Jofra Archer’s pace make them favourites despite back-to-back losses.
LSG’s batting woes – particularly Pooran’s worst-ever IPL season and the team’s zero home wins – leave them vulnerable on their own surface.
Expect Rajasthan Royals to end their mini-slump with a victory in Match 32 and tighten their grip on the IPL 2026 playoff spots.
