Mitchell Marsh out of LSG vs PBKS match [Source: AP]In a massive setback for Lucknow Super Giants, their in-form batter Mitchell Marsh won't be available for their final group-stage match against Punjab Kings. Led by Rishabh Pant, LSG will take on PBKS in their last match of the season at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The Super Giants are placed at the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table, having lost nine out of 13 matches. As they aim to finish the tournament on a high note, the Lucknow-based team has suffered a major setback, with Mitchell Marsh getting sidelined from the highly anticipated encounter against Punjab Kings. Mitchell Marsh ruled out of LSG Vs PBKS IPL 2026 matchAustralian batting maestro Mitchell Marsh has been a clinical performer for LSG in the IPL this season. He has hammered 563 runs in 13 innings at an average of 43.31 and a blistering strike rate of 163.19. Also Read: Mitchell Marsh Run Out For 96; Joins Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle Among OthersHowever, according to ESPNCricinfo, Marsh is unavailable for LSG's final group-stage match against PBKS, which will be played at the Ekana Stadium. Prominent journalist Gaurav Gupta revealed that Marsh left the Super Giants' camp to link-up with the Australian team for an upcoming ODI series against Pakistan. Why is the absence of Marsh a big blow to LSG?Mitch Marsh has been remarkably consistent for the Super Giants in the IPL. He formed a robust opening pair with Aiden Markram last season. Although Markram was demoted to bolster the middle-order, Marsh continued his onslaught as an opening batter for the team in IPL 2026. He emerged as the Super Giants' go-to batter this season, amassing four fifty-plus scores, including a century. More importantly, Marsh's last three scores in the tournament are 111, 10, 90 and 96. These numbers suggest that he was in red-hot form and could've been an asset for the Super Giants in their fourteenth match against Punjab Kings. Therefore, with most of their key batters- Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran and Abdul Samad- blowing hot and cold with the bat, Marsh's absence is a massive blow to LSG as they eye a fitting finish to the competition. Who will replace Mitchell Marsh as opener in LSG vs PBKS?As Mitchell Marsh has been sidelined from the Punjab Kings encounter, young batter Ayush Badoni will likely replace him as the opening partner of Josh Inglis. Badoni played as an opener the last time when the Super Giants faced Punjab Kings, scoring a quick-fire 21-ball 35. Swashbuckling batter Nicholas Pooran will likely bat at number three, despite struggling with poor form. Skipper Rishabh Pant will spearhead the Super Giants' middle order alongside Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary and spin bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed. Considering the game will be played on Ekana Stadium's seam-friendly surface, the hosts might bring Mohammed Shami back into the playing XI. LSG likely playing XI vs PBKS in Mitchell Marsh's absenceAyush Badoni, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (WK), Mukul Choudhary, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav, Mohammed ShamiImpact- Digvesh RathiAlso Read: Pakistan-Reject Openly Launches Revolt Against PCB With Bold Social Media Act
