Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals, led by the tactical Axar Patel, arrive with a spin-heavy arsenal perfectly suited for the Lucknow conditions.

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is prepared for a fascinating tactical battle featuring the return of Mohammed Shami to full fitness for LSG and the homecoming of KL Rahul, who now leads the batting charge for the Capitals.

LSG are set to come into this contest with a revamped middle order designed to tackle slow tracks, while DC will look to exploit the "spin-twin" advantage of Axar and Kuldeep on the traditional Lucknow deck.

LSG IPL 2026 squad

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Anrich Nortje, Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Mohammed Shami, Matthew Breetzke, Josh Inglis, Himmat Singh, Mukul Choudhary, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Tiwari, Arjun Tendulkar, Manimaran Siddharth, Mayank Prabhu Yadav, Akash Maharaj Singh.

DC IPL 2026 squad

KL Rahul (w), Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel, Axar Patel (c), 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, Auqib Nabi Dar, Tripurana Vijay, Ajay Jadav Mandal.

What is the H2H record between LSG and DC?

In head-to-head clashes, these two sides have played 7 matches. The rivalry has seen a significant shift recently; while LSG dominated the early encounters, the Delhi Capitals have won the last 4 matches against the Super Giants. The overall record stands at 4-3 in favour of DC. At the Ekana Stadium, the battle is usually one of attrition, with DC's superior spin depth often giving them the edge in low-scoring thrillers.

Probable XI of both teams

LSG probable XI

Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan.

DC probable XI

KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Abishek Porel (wk), Axar Patel (c), Nitish Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, T. Natarajan, Lungi Ngidi, Vipraj Nigam.

Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow & Key Details

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is one of India's most architecturally stunning venues, featuring an 81-meter straight boundary-one of the longest in the country. Since its IPL debut, the stadium has been known for its unique "black soil" and "red soil" pitch variations. The facility boasts a world-class drainage system and a seating capacity of 50,000, creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.

What is the Pitch like at the Ekana Cricket Stadium?

The Ekana pitch is a classic tactical surface that heavily rewards discipline over raw power. Following extensive relaying of the square in previous seasons, the tracks now offer a bit more pace than the sluggish surfaces of 2023, but it remains a primary haven for spinners and slow-ball specialists.

The black soil pitches here tend to stay low and offer significant turn as the match progresses, making the middle overs a gruelling period for batters. However, the long boundaries mean that even on the flatter red soil tracks, batters struggle to clear the ropes consistently, often relying on hard running and placement.

Dew is a variable factor in Lucknow during early April. While the dry heat usually minimises it, a sudden drop in evening temperature can make the ball slippery, occasionally tempting captains to bowl first despite the surface traditionally favouring those who put runs on the board early.

Key Stats & Records at the Ekana Stadium

Highest team total: 199/8 by LSG versus Punjab Kings in IPL 2024.
Lowest team total: 108 all out by LSG versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2023.
KL Rahul remains the most prolific run-scorer at this venue, with 540 runs from 13 matches at 49.09. Nicholas Pooran is next with 409 runs from 21 matches.
Among bowlers, Ravi Bishnoi has picked 19 wickets at 28.36 and leads the show. Krunal Pandya and Yash Thakur have claimed 12 wickets each.
LSG vs DC: Weather Forecast

The weather in Lucknow on April 1 is expected to be clear and warm. Daytime temperatures will hover around 36°C, dropping to a comfortable 24°C to 26°C during match hours. Humidity will be low (approx. 30%), which generally keeps the outfield fast and reduces the impact of dew, ensuring a fair contest for the side bowling second.

LSG vs DC: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?

The pitch provides a slight advantage to the Delhi Capitals because their bowling attack is built around the precision of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, who can exploit the natural turn of the Ekana. However, LSG's pace battery, led by Mohammed Shami and Mayank Yadav, could prove decisive if they use the new-ball bounce effectively. The match will likely be decided by which captain manages their spin quotas better during the middle-over "squeeze."

FAQs - Pitch Report for Ekana Cricket Stadium

What is the pitch report for Ekana Cricket Stadium?

Expect a surface that favours spin and medium-pace "cutters." It is not a typical 200-plus run ground; instead, it requires batters to be patient. Wickets are likely to fall if batters try to force the pace too early.

Who is the captain for LSG?

Rishabh Pant is the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants for the 2026 season, following his high-profile move during the auction.

Is Mitchell Starc playing?

No, Mitchell Starc is unavailable for DC in this match due to a shoulder injury. Lungi Ngidi is expected to lead the international pace slot in his absence.

What is the par score at Lucknow?

A competitive par score at the Ekana is roughly 165-175. Anything above 185 is considered a match-winning total given the difficulty of chasing on a wearing surface.