Lucknow Super Giants will take on Rajasthan Royals in match 32 of 2026 Indian Premier League at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday.
After two wins and four defeats from six matches, LSG sit ninth on the IPL points tally. The team was defeated by Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings. Their only wins have come against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders.
In six matches, they have already tried three different pairs, with Mitchell Marsh opening alongside Ayush Badoni, Aiden Markram, and captain Rishabh Pant. This constant reshuffling reflects a think tank struggling to define clear batting roles.
The struggles are best highlighted by Nicholas Pooran, who, despite his reputation for explosive batting, has managed just 51 runs in six innings. The broader batting concerns are evident in the numbers that only Pant, Badoni, and Mukul Choudhary have registered half-centuries this season.
RR began the season like a team determined to win everything. In their first four games, they handed resounding defeats to Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. But that early season red-hot form seems to have tapered off as the team has been humbled by SRH and KKR in previous two games.
A key factor behind the team's early surge was the form of its top order, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal providing strong starts, complemented by wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel at No. 3. The trio, forming the core of Rajasthan's top order, combined to score six half-centuries in the first four matches. However, in the last two defeats, they have failed to make a significant impact.
There are also growing concerns over the form of captain Riyan Parag. The 24-year-old has struggled for runs, with a highest score of just 20 and an aggregate of 61 runs from six innings. With Sooryavanshi, Jaiswal, Jurel and Parag forming the backbone of Rajasthan's batting, their return to form is crucial if the team is to regain momentum.
On the bowling front, Ravi Bishnoi and Jofra Archer have shouldered most of the responsibility. Bishnoi has picked up 10 wickets, while Archer has eight. For the team to improve, greater support from the rest of the bowling unit will be essential.
Weather, Pitch
The India Meteorological Department has predicted excessive heat in Lucknow for Wednesday. There is a possibility of heat wave in the city with maximum temperature touching around 45°C.
The two matches played at the venue this season tells that this isn't a place where the batters will have a party. In the four completed innings, 25 wickets have fallen and the average score is just over 153. So expect a bowling-friendly pitch for this match.
Head to Head
- Matches Played: 6
- Lucknow Super Giants wins:2
- Rajasthan Royals wins: 4
Players to Watch
- Prince Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants): Amid all the confusion in the Lucknow ranks, Prince Yadav is quietly having a good run. The pacer has picked 11 wickets in six innings and has bowled under the economy of 9. He has been the only consistent performer of the team this season.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals): Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was lighting up the skies and sending ball into the stands almost at will! The boy wonder needs to rediscover his form to help RR get back to winning ways.
Possible XI
- LSG: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (wk and capt.), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mukul Choudhary, Himmat Singh, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav , Manimaran Siddharth
- RR: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashavi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (capt.), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma
Broadcast Channels
The Indian Premier League is being broadcasted on the Star Sports television channels.
Live Stream Details
LSG v RR match can be streamed LIVE on the JioHotstar app
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