Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will likely open with Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, with Anrich Nortje replacing the absent Wanindu Hasaranga, when they host Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 5 of IPL 2026 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 7:30 PM IST.
This match features two fascinating personal storylines. Rishabh Pant faces his former franchise DC for the first time as LSG captain. Similarly, KL Rahul returns to Lucknow, the city where he captained LSG for two seasons. Moreover, both teams missed the IPL 2025 playoffs and are desperate to start their redemption campaigns with a win.
LSG vs DC IPL 2026 Match 5: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 5, IPL 2026 |
| Teams | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals |
| Date | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| LSG Captain | Rishabh Pant |
| DC Captain | Axar Patel |
| Head-to-Head | DC 4 – LSG 3 (7 matches) |
Notably, neither team has won an IPL title. Both finished outside the top four in IPL 2025. As a result, this season opener carries enormous weight for both squads, especially given the off-season roster changes.
Injury and Availability Updates for LSG vs DC
Both teams enter this match with key players missing. However, the absences create different challenges for each side.
LSG: Hasaranga Awaits NOC, Mayank Yadav Fit
Wanindu Hasaranga has not received a No Objection Certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket and is unavailable for this match. He picked up an injury during the T20 World Cup 2026 and is yet to clear fitness. Consequently, LSG will bring in Anrich Nortje as the fourth overseas player, strengthening the pace attack instead.
On the bright side, pace sensation Mayank Yadav has been declared fit and available. The 22-year-old burst onto the scene by clocking 150+ kph in IPL 2024 but missed chunks of the 2025 season due to injuries. Additionally, Mohammed Shami, traded from SRH for Rs 10 crore, adds massive experience to the new-ball attack.
One concern for LSG is their Indian batting. In IPL 2025, all of LSG’s Indian batters combined scored just 835 runs. Therefore, Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad need to step up significantly this season.
DC: Starc Injured, Duckett Withdraws
Mitchell Starc, retained for Rs 11.75 crore, is recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries. He will miss the early part of IPL 2026. In his absence, left-arm seamer T Natarajan, fully fit after missing IPL 2025 due to injury, steps in.
Furthermore, Ben Duckett has pulled out of the tournament entirely, citing a desire to focus on his England career. As a result, Pathum Nissanka becomes the natural choice to open alongside KL Rahul.
Despite these absences, DC still carry strong bowling options. Lungi Ngidi impressed during the T20 World Cup 2026 with his deceptive changes of pace. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav and captain Axar Patel form one of the most dangerous spin duos in IPL 2026.
LSG Predicted Playing XI vs DC
LSG’s overseas-heavy top order remains intact from IPL 2025. Without Hasaranga, they go with four overseas batters/all-rounders and use Nortje as the overseas pace option. Therefore, an Indian batter will likely come in as the impact player.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Marsh | Opener / All-rounder |
| 2 | Aiden Markram | Opener |
| 3 | Nicholas Pooran | No. 3 / WK option |
| 4 | Rishabh Pant (c/wk) | Middle Order / Captain / WK |
| 5 | Ayush Badoni | Middle Order |
| 6 | Abdul Samad | Finisher |
| 7 | Shahbaz Ahmed | All-rounder |
| 8 | Mohammed Shami | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Mayank Yadav | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Digvesh Rathi | Off-spinner |
| 11 | Anrich Nortje | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Avesh Khan, Himmat Singh, Akshat Raghuwanshi
LSG’s Overseas-Heavy Top Order
The Marsh-Markram opening pair was one of the most effective in IPL 2025. Both scored over 400 runs last season and provide stability alongside aggression. Importantly, Markram enters IPL 2026 in strong T20 form after recent franchise league performances.
Nicholas Pooran at No. 3 adds explosive power. He also scored 400+ runs in IPL 2025 and can keep wickets if needed. However, some reports suggest Rishabh Pant could bat at No. 3 instead, with Pooran dropping to No. 4. In his last IPL 2025 innings, Pant smashed 118 not out from No. 3, so the position is fluid.
LSG’s Pace Battery: Four 145+ kph Options
LSG’s biggest strength is their pace attack. Mohammed Shami leads with the new ball, bringing experience from 100+ IPL matches. Alongside him, Mayank Yadav consistently clocks over 150 kph, Anrich Nortje provides South African express pace, and Avesh Khan offers clever variations.
That gives LSG four pacers who can bowl at 145+ kph. On a Lucknow pitch that offers carry, this pace battery could overwhelm DC’s top order. Additionally, Digvesh Rathi‘s off-spin provides the middle-overs control, having picked up 14 wickets in 13 innings during his breakout IPL 2025 season.
DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG
DC enter IPL 2026 under new captain Axar Patel and with a significantly reshuffled squad. Without Starc and Duckett, they rely heavily on their middle-order firepower and spin-bowling depth.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathum Nissanka | Opener |
| 2 | KL Rahul (wk) | Opener / Wicketkeeper |
| 3 | Nitish Rana | No. 3 Batter |
| 4 | Tristan Stubbs | Middle Order |
| 5 | David Miller | Middle Order |
| 6 | Axar Patel (c) | All-rounder / Captain |
| 7 | Ashutosh Sharma | All-rounder |
| 8 | Auqib Nabi Dar | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Kuldeep Yadav | Leg-spinner |
| 10 | Lungi Ngidi | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | T Natarajan | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Vipraj Nigam, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera, Prithvi Shaw
DC’s New Opening Pair: Rahul Returns to Lucknow
KL Rahul returns to the Ekana Stadium as a DC player after captaining LSG for two seasons. His elegant batting and experience at this venue make him a dangerous proposition. Alongside him, Pathum Nissanka steps in after Duckett’s withdrawal. The Sri Lankan has excellent timing and strike rotation skills.
At No. 3, Nitish Rana gets the nod based on strong domestic form. He finished as DC’s highest run-getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, with five of his seven innings coming from the No. 3 position.
DC’s Middle Order: Stubbs and Miller Add Power
Tristan Stubbs and David Miller form one of the most destructive middle-order combinations in IPL 2026. Both South Africans specialise in finishing innings with authority. Furthermore, captain Axar Patel at No. 6 adds left-arm spin and useful lower-order runs.
Notably, Auqib Nabi Dar could make his IPL debut tonight. The Jammu & Kashmir pacer lit up the domestic cricket circuit in 2025-26 with his swing bowling. ESPNcricinfo’s match preview specifically highlights him as a likely debutant.
DC’s Bowling: Spin Strength, Pace Questions
Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel give DC two match-winning spinners. Together, they control the middle overs and can trouble any batting lineup on a surface that assists turn.
However, the pace department raises questions without Starc. Lungi Ngidi leads the fast bowling with his T20 World Cup form, while T Natarajan‘s left-arm yorkers add death-overs expertise. Still, this attack lacks the firepower of LSG’s 145+ kph quartet.
Some sources, including ESPNcricinfo, suggest Dushmantha Chameera could start ahead of Ngidi as the overseas quick. However, Sportskeeda’s match-day report and Khel Now both favour Ngidi.
Alternate XI Scenarios: What Could Change?
Here are Alternate Scenarios:
LSG: Pant’s Batting Position and the Avesh Khan Question
The biggest tactical question for LSG is where Pant bats. He scored 118 not out from No. 3 in his last IPL 2025 game. However, Pooran batted at No. 3 in 14 of his 20 T20 innings since IPL 2025 across leagues. Therefore, the management must decide who gets that crucial slot.
Additionally, Avesh Khan could come in as the impact player, giving LSG a fifth pace option. Alternatively, if LSG want more batting, Himmat Singh or Akshat Raghuwanshi can be used as impact subs.
DC: Chameera vs Ngidi and the Prithvi Shaw Wildcard
DC must choose between Lungi Ngidi and Dushmantha Chameera as their overseas quick. Chameera’s extra pace suits the Lucknow surface, while Ngidi’s variations make him better suited for the death overs. The conditions on the day will likely decide.
Furthermore, Prithvi Shaw could open instead of Nissanka if DC want an Indian opener to free up an overseas middle-order slot. However, DC tried seven opening combinations in IPL 2025, and stability is their priority this season. Therefore, Nissanka seems the safer choice.
Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch Report for LSG vs DC
The Ekana pitch is expected to offer a balanced surface, with the game played on pitch number four. It should provide good carry for pacers early while becoming easier for batting as the match progresses.
| Pitch Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Type | Red soil; balanced surface; good for batting |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 175-187 (varies by season) |
| Total IPL Matches | 22 (13 wins batting second, 9 batting first) |
| Batting 2nd Win % | 59% (chasing advantage) |
| Dew Factor | Expected in second innings; helps chasing |
| Pace vs Spin | Pace effective early; spin grows into the game |
What the Ekana Pitch Means Tonight
Chasing teams have won 13 out of 22 IPL matches at this venue. Consequently, the toss winner will almost certainly choose to bowl first. The pitch tends to settle down as the match progresses, making batting easier in the second innings.
For LSG’s pace quartet, the red-soil surface should provide carry and bounce early on. As a result, Shami and Mayank Yadav‘s new-ball spell could be decisive. However, DC’s Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel should thrive once the surface slows, especially if the pitch takes turn in the middle overs.
Lucknow Weather Forecast for April 1, 2026
Conditions in Lucknow will be clear and warm on Wednesday evening. Temperature will hover around 31 degrees Celsius with low humidity at around 28%. There is no chance of rain. Dew could play a role in the second innings, further supporting the chasing team.
LSG vs DC Head-to-Head Record in IPL
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 7 |
| DC Wins | 4 |
| LSG Wins | 3 |
| DC at Ekana vs LSG | DC lead in Lucknow meetings |
DC hold a 4-3 advantage in the head-to-head record. Interestingly, some sources (Sportskeeda’s match prediction) note that DC have won all four of their meetings at this venue. Therefore, LSG will need to break that Lucknow hoodoo if they want to start their season on a positive note.
Key Player Battles to Watch
Here are Some Key Player Battles:
Rishabh Pant vs Kuldeep Yadav
Former DC teammates now face each other. Pant‘s aggressive instincts against spin make this battle thrilling. However, Kuldeep‘s wrist spin and variations could trouble the LSG captain if the surface offers any turn. This middle-overs duel could swing the match.
Mayank Yadav vs KL Rahul
Mayank‘s 150+ kph thunderbolts against Rahul‘s classical technique is a fascinating powerplay contest. If Mayank finds early swing under lights, Rahul’s measured approach could cost him. On the other hand, if Rahul survives the first few overs, his timing on this surface will make scoring easier.
Mohammed Shami vs Pathum Nissanka
Shami‘s seam movement against the new ball will test Nissanka‘s ability to handle IPL conditions. The Sri Lankan has excellent shot-making but has limited IPL experience. Consequently, Shami’s accuracy and bounce could cause problems early.
Axar Patel vs Mitchell Marsh
Captain Axar‘s left-arm spin against Marsh‘s aggressive batting sets up an interesting powerplay battle. Marsh likes to dominate spinners early, but Axar’s accuracy and arm ball make him difficult to attack freely. This contest could set the tone for the entire innings.
Impact Player Predictions for LSG vs DC
Here are Predictions for Impact Player Options for Both Teams:
LSG’s Likely Impact Player: Avesh Khan or Himmat Singh
If LSG bowl first and want extra pace firepower, Avesh Khan becomes the obvious impact choice, giving them a fifth pacer. Alternatively, if they bat first and need more batting depth, Himmat Singh or Akshat Raghuwanshi can provide middle-order support.
DC’s Likely Impact Player: Vipraj Nigam or Mukesh Kumar
For DC, Vipraj Nigam‘s all-round skills make him a useful impact player in most situations. If DC need extra pace, Mukesh Kumar‘s Indian pace adds depth without using an overseas slot. Additionally, Prithvi Shaw could serve as a batting impact player if DC chase and lose early wickets.
LSG vs DC IPL 2026 Match 5: Match Prediction
Lucknow Super Giants hold a narrow edge heading into Match 5. Three factors support this prediction.
Why LSG Are Slight Favourites
First, home advantage. Although DC have won their previous meetings at Ekana, LSG know this surface intimately. Playing in front of their home crowd adds energy and confidence.
Second, pace dominance. LSG’s quartet of Shami, Mayank Yadav, Nortje, and Avesh Khan gives them the deepest pace attack in this fixture. Against DC’s batting, which ESPNcricinfo describes as having a “conservative approach,” that pace could prove decisive.
Third, the overseas top order. Marsh, Markram, and Pooran each scored 400+ runs in IPL 2025. That proven run-scoring ability gives LSG a reliable batting foundation.
Why DC Can Win This
Despite LSG’s advantages, DC have match-winners of their own. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel can strangle any batting lineup during the middle overs. Moreover, Miller and Stubbs‘s finishing power has won games from impossible positions before.
Additionally, DC hold the head-to-head advantage at this venue. That psychological edge matters, especially in a season opener where nerves run high.
Prediction: Lucknow Super Giants to win by 15-20 runs (if batting first) or chase down the target with 4-6 balls to spare (if bowling first).
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will almost certainly choose to bowl first. Chasing teams have won 59% of IPL matches at Ekana. Additionally, dew in the second innings makes batting easier and bowling more difficult late in the game.
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Final Verdict: Both Teams Are looking Perfectly Ready For Clash With Balanced Squad
Match 5 of IPL 2026 features two teams desperate for redemption. The Pant-DC and Rahul-LSG crossover storylines add emotional weight to what is already a high-stakes encounter between two maiden-title seekers.
On balance, LSG’s pace attack and overseas batting give them a slight edge. However, DC’s spin duo and middle-order power mean this match could go either way. Expect LSG’s pace to make the early breakthroughs, but DC’s spinners to fight back in the middle overs. A close, competitive game looks very likely.
