Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals open their IPL 2026 campaigns after both missed the playoffs last season. LSG will be without Wanindu Hasaranga, while DC start without Mitchell Starc. The match will be played on a red-soil pitch in Lucknow, where DC have won both previous games. Both teams have restructured their line-ups ahead of the new season.
Toss & Conditions
Pitch no. 4 at the Ekana Stadium will be used. The surface produced an average first-innings score of 187 in the last IPL, slightly lower than 203 in 2024, indicating a high-scoring pitch with consistent run-making conditions.
Head-to-Head
Delhi Capitals have won all of the last three matches against Lucknow Super Giants.
Lucknow Super Giants
This is Lucknow Super Giants' first match of the season. In their last three matches from other tournaments, they won once and lost twice.
Delhi Capitals
This is Delhi Capitals' first match of the season. In their last three matches from other tournaments, they won once and lost twice.
Playing XI
News & Facts
- Wanindu Hasaranga is unavailable for LSG as he awaits a fitness clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket.
- Mitchell Starc will miss the early part of the season for DC due to shoulder and elbow injuries.
- LSG head coach Justin Langer confirmed that Mayank Yadav is fit and will start the season.
- DC lead the head-to-head 4-0 against LSG, including two wins in Lucknow.
- Kuldeep Yadav has dismissed Rishabh Pant three times in T20s, conceding 23 runs off 25 balls.
मुख्य आँकड़े
Prediction
Key stats favor Delhi Capitals 4-1, with advantages in Elo rating, head-to-head record, and mid and death overs economy, while LSG lead only in powerplay economy. Model predictions are split, with averages showing near parity at 51% for LSG and 49% for DC. Bookmakers slightly favor DC at 53% (odds 1.83) over LSG at 47% (odds 2.00). The decisive factors may be DC’s superior death bowling and recent dominance in head-to-head meetings.

