Lucknow : Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 32nd match of IPL 2026 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. Both teams are coming into this contest after defeats in their previous matches.
LSG have lost four of their first six matches, including a heavy 54-run defeat to Punjab Kings in their last outing, which has pushed them to the second-last position on the table with just 4 points. On the other hand, RR suffered back-to-back defeats against SRH and KKR but still hold the 4th position on the table.
LSG have struggled mainly due to inconsistency in their batting lineup. Their rhythm has been completely missing throughout all six matches. The opening pair has failed to provide solid starts, while the middle order and finishers have been unable to stay at the crease for long, losing wickets too quickly. Many players appear to be out of form, which has become a major concern for the team. They need to improve as soon as possible. Their bowling unit was fairly reliable earlier, but in the last match it also turned expensive, conceding 254 runs to PBKS—one of the highest totals of the season so far. Apart from Prince Yadav, most bowlers struggled.
On the other hand, RR have been impressive with the ball, but their batting has shown some issues. The top order has not scored that many runs in recent matches, and the middle order has consistently collapsed under pressure in both defeats. This is a crucial area they need to address quickly and effectively to regain stability and momentum.
In the IPL, both teams have played 6 matches, where Rajasthan Royals have won 4 times, while Lucknow Super Giants have managed 2 victories.
LSG Squad: Rishabh Pant, Aiden Markram, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Mukul Choudhary, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshin Kulkarni, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ayush Badoni, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, M. Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, Arjun Tendulkar, Anrich Nortje, Naman Tiwari, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan.
Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mukul Choudhary, Himmat Singh, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, M. Siddharth. Impact Player: Mohsin Khan.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Squad: Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao Perala, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen, Sandeep Sharma, Nandre Burger.
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma, Nandre Burger. Impact Player: Yash Raj Punja.
The weather in Lucknow is expected to be ideal for cricket, with clear skies and no chances of rain. The temperature during match hours will likely stay between 29–32°C, making it warm but manageable. Humidity may rise slightly in the evening, bringing some dew later in the game, which could benefit the team batting second. Overall, conditions suggest a full and uninterrupted match. The pitch at Ekana Cricket Stadium is generally on the slower side, assisting spinners as the match progresses. Early on, batters may find it easier once they settle, but the surface tends to grip, making stroke play difficult during the middle overs. Fast bowlers who vary their pace can also be effective. With possible dew later, batting in the second innings might become easier, which is why teams often prefer chasing at this venue.
LSG returning to their home ground could provide them with a slight advantage. Both teams will be eager to bounce back strongly in the league, especially LSG, who are looking to recover from their recent setbacks and regain their momentum.
