Will Pathirana play as KKR face LSG?:Knights eye redemption after Mukul’s Eden heroics; Lucknow look to avoid 5th straight loss

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Kolkata Knight Riders meet in IPL 2026 match 38 in a bid to revive their stuttering campaigns. Packed with promise and talent, both LSG and KKR have failed to live up to expectations and find themselves rooted in the bottom two spots on the points table. With just two wins from seven matches, LSG have had a campaign characterised by big-name flops, failure to capitalise on the big moments and confusing decisions. They head into the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders with a heavy loss to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at home. Meanwhile, KKR got their first win of the season in their last match, coincidentally beating the Rajasthan Royals at home. Last time these two teams had squared off, it was a Mukul Choudhary special that dragged LSG to a special win from the jaws of victory. And the Knight Riders would be out to level the score 1-1 for the season. KKR might receive a Matheesha Pathirana boost, with the Sri Lankan pacer likely to be picked in the playing XI. LSG vs KKR Match Details Match info: Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders, match 38
Date Time: 26 April, 7:30 PM IST (Toss at 7:00 PM)
Venue: Ekana International Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
How to watch: JioHotstar and Star Sports
Where to follow: Follow live coverage on the Bhaskar English App LSG vs KKR Head-to-Head record The LSG vs KKR rivalry in the IPL is heavily tilted in favour of the Lucknow Super Giants. LSG and KKR have had seven matches against each other so far and the Rishabh Pant-led side have won on five occasions. KKR managed just two wins against LSG, with both victories coming in 2024. Raghuvanshi, Tyagi key for KKR Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Kartik Tyagi have been the best performers for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 so far. Raghuvanshi has been the team’s highest score with 200 runs in seven matches, striking at 142.85.
Tyagi on the other hand, has been the best bowler of an inexperienced attack, taking eight wickets in seven matches. With Matheesha Pathirana likely to return to action, he will find some much-needed support in the pace department. Mitchell Marsh, Prince Yadav only positives for LSG While LSG have had a forgettable campaign, Prince Yadav and Mitchell Marsh have been among the best performers of the team. Marsh showed good form in the last match where he scored 55 runs off 41 balls. Prince Yadav, on the other hand, has been the best bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants. The young Indian pacer has been among the highest wicket-takers of the season with 13 scalps to his name in seven innings. Sunil Narine yet to dismiss Rishabh Pant One of the interesting player battles to watch out for in the LSG vs KKR clash is the Rishabh Pant vs Sunil Narine showdown. Narine has bowled 50 balls to Pant, conceding 55 runs while maintaining a good economy rate of 6.60. But while Pant has had a strike rate of 110.00 against Narine, he can take some confidence from the fact that he is yet to be dismissed by the KKR great. Rahane vs Shami key showdown in LSG vs KKR battle The Ajinkya Rahane vs Mohammed Shami showdown will be a key one in the LSG vs KKR battle. Shami has been in good form this season, but Rahane would be confident off the fact that he has had the upper hand over the LSG pacer. Rahane has faced 59 balls from Shami and scored 99 runs, striking at 167.79. Also, Shami is yet to dismiss the KKR captain in the IPL. Ekana Stadium pitch report The pitch at the Ekana Stadium is traditionally known to be helpful to spin and that might not change in the LSG vs KKR match. Bowlers will find assistance from the pitch and hence a game with scores in the range between 170 and 180 might be competitive on this track. Lucknow weather report The weather is expected to be clear in Lucknow during the LSG vs KKR showdown in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. With no forecast of rain, the weather is likely to hover around 34 and 40 degrees Celsius.