LSG Opt to Bowl Against PBKS; Siddharth Replaces Rathi in Key Clash

New Chandigarh, April 2026 : Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and elected to bowl first against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Lucknow made one change to their playing XI, bringing in left-arm spinner M Siddharth in place of mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi. Punjab, on the other hand, went into the match with an unchanged side.

The match holds significance for both teams, albeit for different reasons. Punjab Kings come into the contest on a high after a strong victory over Mumbai Indians, which extended their unbeaten run. In contrast, Lucknow Super Giants are under pressure following consecutive defeats and are looking to bounce back.

Speaking at the toss, Pant explained his decision to bowl first, stating that his side prefers chasing a target. He also acknowledged Punjab’s strong form but said it provides his team the freedom to play with less pressure. Pant added that his elbow injury has improved significantly, offering reassurance about his fitness.

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer said he was unfazed by losing the toss and welcomed the opportunity to bat first. He described it as a fresh challenge for his team, which has not set a target in recent matches. Iyer emphasised the importance of self-improvement and expressed confidence in delivering a comprehensive performance.

The pitch conditions are expected to play a key role in the contest. With relatively short boundaries—61 metres on the off side, 70 metres square leg, and up to 74 metres straight—the venue could favour a high-scoring game. However, experts including Abhinav Mukund and Eoin Morgan noted that grass cover and visible cracks may assist fast bowlers early on. With no dew expected later in the evening, the toss is unlikely to have a decisive impact.

Lucknow Super Giants field a strong lineup featuring Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and Mohammed Shami, alongside captain Pant. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, rely on a balanced squad including Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal.

With contrasting momentum and conditions that could favour both batters and bowlers, the stage is set for an engaging contest as Lucknow aim to regain form and Punjab look to extend their winning streak.

Playing XIs:

Lucknow Super Giants: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (captain and wk), Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, M Siddharth, and Mohsin Khan

Impact Substitutes: Himmat Singh, Abdul Samad, Matthew Breetzke, Mayank Yadav, and Digvesh Rathi

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal

Impact Substitutes: Vyshak Vijaykumar, Harpreet Brar, Suyansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, and Vishnu Vinod