LSG vs DC IPL 2026 Pitch Report, Playing 11 & Live Streaming

LSG vs DC IPL 2026 Pitch Report, Playing 11 & Live Streaming

In the 5th match of indian premier league 2026, Lucknow Super Giants take on Delhi Capitals at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the toss at 7:00 PM IST and play starting at 7:30 PM IST.

After a disappointing run last season, Rishabh Pant will be looking to make an immediate impact as LSG's captain. Fast bowler Mayank Yadav had a brilliant start to his IPL career in 2024, but injury restricted him to just two matches in IPL 2025. He'll be desperate to rediscover that early form.

Last season's breakout performer Digvijay Singh Rathi will be hoping to trouble batters on the Ekana surface, while Enrique Nortje's experience and pace add another dimension to LSG's attack.

Delhi Capitals had a strong start in IPL 2025 but lost momentum just before the playoffs. KL Rahul returns as opener, though there are several options competing for the spot alongside him — Prithvi Shaw, Pathum Nissanka, and Abhishek Porel all in contention. The Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav spin combination could be a real weapon on the Ekana pitch.

LSG vs DC Head-to-Head Record: Who Has the Edge Going Into IPL 2026?

Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals have met five times in IPL history. LSG lead the head-to-head 3–2. The record is close, but LSG have the slight edge — and playing at home in Lucknow gives them an added advantage heading into this fixture.

Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch Report: Why Bowlers Have the Upper Hand Here

Pitch number 4 will be used for Wednesday's match at Ekana Cricket Stadium.

The Ekana surface has consistently offered assistance to bowlers, which is why spinners like Digvijay Singh Rathi (LSG), and Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel (DC) are expected to play significant roles in the outcome.

In IPL 2025, the first innings average score at this venue was 187 runs — slightly down from the 203 average recorded in 2024. Despite being bowler-friendly, it's still a high-scoring ground. Weather conditions on the evening of April 1 in Lucknow are expected to be pleasant, with temperatures around 28°C and no rain forecast.

LSG vs DC Playing 11 for IPL 2026 — Probable XIs and Key Selection Calls

LSG's Impact Substitute Decision and Squad Options

If Enrique Nortje replaces Wanindu Hasaranga in the starting XI, Lucknow Super Giants will need to use an Indian batter as the impact substitute. The main candidates outside the first XI are Akshat Raghuvanshi, Mukul Choudhary, and Himmat Singh. Head coach Justin Langer has confirmed that Mayank Yadav is fully fit and will open the season.

Delhi Capitals' Pace Attack and Middle-Order Depth

Delhi Capitals could bring in left-arm pacer T Natarajan to replace Mitchell Starc's slot, while Sri Lanka's Dushmantha Chameera may be preferred over Lungi Ngidi as the overseas pace option. Unlike LSG, DC's middle order looks strong with Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, and David Miller providing batting depth. Akib Nabi Dar, who had an outstanding domestic season in 2025-26, is likely to make his IPL debut in this match.

Lucknow Super Giants Probable Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (captain & wicketkeeper), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Akshat Raghuvanshi / Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammad Shami, Mayank Yadav, Digvijay Singh Rathi, Enrique Nortje.

Delhi Capitals Probable Playing XI: KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (captain), David Miller, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Akib Nabi Dar, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan.

LSG vs DC Live Streaming: Star Sports TV and JioHotstar App Details

Detail	Info
Match	IPL 2026, 5th Match — LSG vs DC
Date	Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Toss	7:00 PM IST
Match Start	7:30 PM IST
Venue	Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
TV Broadcast	Star Sports Network (India)
Live Streaming	JioHotstar website and app

LSG vs DC Numbers That Matter: Kuldeep vs Pant and the Ekana Run Rate Story

Kuldeep Yadav vs Rishabh Pant: In T20 cricket, Kuldeep has bowled 25 balls to Pant, given away just 23 runs, and dismissed him three times. That's a dominant record for the left-arm wrist spinner — and one that will make the Pant vs Kuldeep contest one of the most watched battles of the evening.

Ekana's climbing run rate: The ground's T20 run rate has risen in every IPL season since 2023 — from 7.36 in the first season to 8.94 in 2024, and 9.83 in 2025. Even on a traditionally bowler-friendly surface, the game is getting faster here every year.

LSG and DC Next 3 Matches Each

Lucknow Super Giants:

• April 5: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Hyderabad
• April 9: vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kolkata
• April 12: vs Gujarat Titans, Lucknow

Delhi Capitals:

• April 4: vs Mumbai Indians, Delhi
• April 8: vs Gujarat Titans, Delhi
• April 11: vs Chennai Super Kings, Chennai

Full Squad List: Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026

Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (wk/captain), Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Digvijay Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Enrique Nortje, Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Akshat Raghuvanshi, Mohammad Shami, Matthew Breetzke, Josh Inglis, Himmat Singh, Mukul Choudhary, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Tiwari, Arjun Tendulkar, Manimaran Siddharth, Mayank Prabhu Yadav, Akash Maharaj Singh.

Delhi Capitals: KL Rahul (wk), Prithvi Shaw, Abhishek Porel, Axar Patel (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Dushmantha Chameera, Kyle Jamieson, T Natarajan, Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Rana, Karun Nair, Pathum Nissanka, Sahil Parakh, Sameer Rizvi, Madhav Tiwari, Akib Nabi Dar, Tripurana Vijay, Ajay Jadav Mandal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch LSG vs DC live streaming for IPL 2026?

The LSG vs DC match is streaming live on JioHotstar — both the website and the app. On TV, it's available across the Star Sports network. Toss is at 7:00 PM IST and play starts at 7:30 PM IST on April 1, 2026, at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Do this now: Open JioHotstar and set a match reminder before the toss.

What is the head-to-head record between LSG and DC in IPL?

LSG and DC have played five matches against each other in IPL history, with Lucknow Super Giants leading 3–2. The record is close, but LSG have a slight edge — and home advantage at Ekana makes this fixture even more important for Delhi to get right. Expect both sides to treat this as a must-win early in the season.

Is Mayank Yadav playing in the LSG vs DC IPL 2026 match?

LSG head coach Justin Langer has confirmed that Mayank Yadav is fully fit and available for selection. After an impressive 2024 debut, he managed just two matches in 2025 due to injury. Getting him back is a major boost for LSG — particularly on the Ekana pitch, which suits pace bowlers during the powerplay overs.

How does the Ekana Stadium pitch play in IPL — is it better for batting or bowling?

Ekana has traditionally been a bowler-friendly surface, and that reputation still holds. The first innings average score was 187 in IPL 2025 — solid totals, but lower than the 2024 average of 203. The run rate at the ground has climbed every season since 2023, from 7.36 to 8.94 to 9.83, so big totals are possible. Spinners tend to get the most out of this surface. Do this now: In fantasy cricket, prioritise spinners from both sides.

What is Kuldeep Yadav's T20 record against Rishabh Pant?

Kuldeep has bowled 25 balls at Pant in T20 cricket, giving away only 23 runs and taking his wicket three times — a remarkable return for any spinner. On an Ekana surface that tends to assist wrist spin, this head-to-head battle is one of the most fascinating subplots of the LSG vs DC match. Pant will need a plan, and Kuldeep will fancy his chances early.

Match details and squad selection are based on available information as of April 1, 2026. Confirm the final playing XI from the official toss at 7:00 PM IST.