Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have gone off the boil after a promising begin, slipping right into a two-match slide they will be determined to arrest. But the magnitude of that problem could not be steeper as they tackle table-toppers Punjab Kings, who’re but to drop a recreation.
LSG’S dip is greatest captured of their batting returns. Mukul Choudhary’s 127 runs lead their run charts and 54 of these got here in a match-winning effort towards Kolkata Knight Riders. This underlines their batting struggles: LSG are the slowest-scoring aspect within the match (run price 8.1), in stark distinction to PBKS, who’re second-best (10.9).
Amid these batting struggles, it should be soothing that Rishabh Pant is absolutely match after recovering from a blow on his left elbow within the earlier match. Concerns had been raised as a result of Pant did not maintain wickets throughout LSG’s bowling innings in Bengaluru.
PBKS have little to fret about on the batting entrance – their run price of 11.5 is the second greatest within the powerplay. For this, they’ve Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya’s rip-roaring kind to thank. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer has already struck three half-centuries whereas putting at 197 by way of the center overs (7-16).
Twice this season, they’ve walked dwelling in 200-plus chases, whereas additionally making 196 look regulation within the earlier recreation against Mumbai Indians. Shreyas has constructed on the inspiration set by the openers in every of these video games; actually his 447 runs are probably the most in profitable chases since IPL 2025.
The PBKS center order hasn’t fairly been examined, which makes early inroads essential for LSG. Encouragingly for them, the new-ball assault led by Mohammed Shami and Prince Yadav has been among the many handiest within the powerplay.
This is one more conflict that would come all the way down to LSG’s bowling may needing to do the heavy lifting, nevertheless it’s crucial their batters come good earlier than later to show round their lacklustre begin.
Form Guide
Punjab Kings WWWW (final 4 accomplished matches, most up-to-date first) Lucknow Super Giants LLWW
Key Question
Team News
PBKS have a completely match squad to select from. They are unlikely to tinker with a mix that has delivered 4 wins.
With Pant match and accessible, LSG are unlikely to make adjustments to their mixture. But Abdul Samad has struggled for kind and rhythm, so there is a case for LSG to usher in Akshat Raghuwanshi, the MP batter.
Lucknow Super Giants (beginning XII): 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Rishabh Pant (capt), 4 Ayush Badoni, 5 Nicholas Pooran, 6 Abdul Samad, 7 Mukul Choudhary, 8 George Linde, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Avesh Khan, 11 Prince Yadav, 12 Mayank Yadav/Digvesh Rathi
In the highlight
After going wicketless in his first three video games, whereas additionally conceding at 9.9, Arshdeep Singh bounced again fantastically to dismiss Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav off consecutive deliveries towards MI. After struggling along with his execution of the yorkers initially of the match, there have been signs of him returning to his dominating best, greatest illustrated by his dismissal of Sherfane Rutherford to disclaim MI a ending kick, which finally proved to be decisive. This upturn comes simply as he’ll be up towards two batters (Mitch Marsh and Aiden Markram) whom he has dismissed a mixed 10 occasions throughout 25 T20s.
Tom Moody, LSG’s international director, was blunt in his evaluation of Abdul Samad. He felt Samad was not a “youngster” and, after six IPL seasons, must be delivering extra even accounting for the calls for of a finisher’s function. Five video games in, he has managed simply 72 runs at a median of 14.40 and a strike price of 111. Time could also be operating out for him. These numbers are inferior to his modest returns in 2024 and 2025, the place he averaged 18.2 and 20.5 respectively.
Stats and trivia
Five video games in, the PBKS opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh averages 48.5. LSG are the one workforce with no half-century opening stand to date.
Arya’s eight sixes are the second-best by a batter off his first 10 balls at IPL 2026. Rajat Patidar leads the race with 13 sixes.
LSG’s total batting common of 19.8 is the bottom amongst all 10 groups this season.
Nicholas Pooran’s strike price of 76 this IPL is the bottom amongst batters to have confronted no less than 50 balls.
Pitch and circumstances
The match shall be performed on a floor that hasn’t been utilized in any of the 13 earlier video games in New Chandigarh. But the neighbouring surfaces on which the playoffs had been performed final 12 months performed the polar opposites. PBKS had been bundled out for 101 towards RCB in Qualifier 1, whereas Mumbai Indians made 228 to beat Gujarat Titans within the Eliminator. Weather-wise, circumstances are anticipated to be sizzling and dry, with a excessive of 37 levels Celsius. Dew might be an element.
Shashank Kishore is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo
