dailynewsnblog
Big picture – DC eye 5-0
While LSG might replace Hasaranga with quick Anrich Nortje, especially since it’s a red-soil pitch in Lucknow, they would also not want over-reliance on their overseas batters Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran. Each of them got over 400 runs last IPL, while all of LSG’s Indian batters combined scored only 835 runs.
DC also have work to do on their top order. Pathum Nissanka was seen having a lengthy practice session with KL Rahul two days out from the match, and could open the batting. Nitish Rana was Delhi’s top run-getter at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, with five of his seven innings coming from No. 3, and could take that spot for DC.
Key question
Team news – Mayank fit
If Nortje takes Hasaranga’s place, LSG will have to use an Indian batter as Impact Sub. Aside from those likely to start, the frontline options include Akshat Raghuwanshi, Mukul Choudhary and Himmat Singh. LSG head coach Justin Langer confirmed that Mayank Yadav is fit and will start the season.
LSG (probable): 1 Mitchell Marsh*, 2 Aiden Markram*, 3 Nicholas Pooran*, 4 Rishabh Pant (capt, wk), 5 Ayush Badoni, 6 Abdul Samad, 7 Akshat Raghuwanshi/Himmat Singh, 8 Shahbaz Ahmed, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Mayank Yadav, 11 Digvesh Rathi, 12 Anrich Nortje*
DC might replace Starc with another left-arm seamer in T Natarajan. Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera could tip Lungi Ngidi as their overseas quick. Unlike LSG, DC have a strong middle order of Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel and David Miller. Auqib Nabi, who has lit up the 2025-26 domestic season, is likely to make his IPL debut.
DC (probable): 1 KL Rahul (wk), 2 Pathum Nissanka*, 3 Nitish Rana, 4 Tristan Stubbs*, 5 Axar Patel (capt), 6 David Miller*, 7 Ashutosh Sharma, 8 Vipraj Nigam, 9 Auqib Nabi, 10 Dushmantha Chameera*, 11 Kuldeep Yadav, 12 T Natarajan
In the spotlight – Mayank Yadav and Nitish Rana
Stats and trivia
- Kuldeep Yadav has had success over Pant in T20s. The left-arm wristspinner has given away just 23 runs off the 25 balls he has bowled to Pant, and dismissed him three times.
- The run rate at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow has increased with every IPL since matches started being held there in 2023. The number has gone from 7.36 in the first season to 8.94 in 2024 and 9.83 in 2025.
Pitch and conditions
Pitch no. 4 will be used for Wednesday’s fixture at the Ekana Stadium. The average first innings score here last IPL was 187, a slight fall from the 203 in 2024. The temperature in Lucknow is expected to be 28 degrees Celsius in the evening, with no chance of rain.
Quotes
“There’s pressure every season. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’ve had pressure on me for 30 years. Every time I batted, there was pressure on me. Every time I’ve coached a side, there’s pressure on me. Every time, for 30 years.”
LSG head coach Justin Langer knows how to deal with pressure
“In India, [there are] good batting wickets and small grounds. So it’s tough to bowl in these conditions – especially for fast bowlers. So mentally we have to prepare well.”
DC quick Dushmantha Chameera is up for the challenge
Next three fixtures
Lucknow Super Giants
April 5: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad
April 9: vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata
April 12: vs Gujarat Titans in Lucknow
Delhi Capitals
April 4: vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi
April 8: vs Gujarat Titans in Delhi
April 11: vs Chennai Super Kings in Chennai
Himanshu Agrawal is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
