KKR Strongest XI vs LSG For IPL 2026, Match 38- Matheesha Pathirana Set To Play

KKR Strongest XI vs LSG For IPL 2026, Match 38. Credits- AP

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were able to break their losing streak in the previous game. In Match 38, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side will take on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Sunday (April 26).

In their last game, KKR beat the Rajasthan Royals. Although Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal had an opening of 81, Kolkata's spin twins- Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy- brought them back. The two spinners shared five wickets between them, while Kartik Tyagi also chipped three scalps.

Chasing 156 runs, KKR had a poor start, like they have been having throughout this season. But the experienced Rinku Singh scored a brilliant half-century under pressure, along with Anukul Roy, to take the team home.

Ahead of their next game, let us look at what the KKR Playing XI vs LSG can look like.

KKR Playing XI vs LSG, IPL 2026, Match 38

Top Order: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green

After back-to-back zeroes, skipper Ajinkya Rahane will be under a lot of pressure. However, Rahane's matchup against the Lucknow bowlers also favours him. Thus, the stylish batter will be a key player in the KKR Playing XI vs LSG, especially with no Tim Seifert or Finn Allen at the top of the order.

Reportedly, the team management is tilted towards dropping Tim Seifert to solidify their bowling department, with the return of Matheesha Pathirana. As a result, Angkrish Raghuvanshi is expected to open in the KKR Playing XI. Meanwhile, the youngster has been their best batter, so it would be great if Raghuvanshi gets to face as many deliveries.

Cameron Green, who has recently started to come good for KKR, will bat a bit higher at number three. In IPL, the Aussie all-rounder has enjoyed the most while batting one down. So, it would be a win-win situation for everyone.

Also Read: Varun Chakaravarthy Spills ‘Fractured Finger’ Secret After KKR vs RR Heroics

Middle Order & All-Rounders: Rinku Singh, Tejasvi Dahiya, Rovman Powell, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy

After his knock in the last game, Rinku Singh will be a more confident batter. Certainly, his fans were overjoyed. The southpaw is one of the most experienced players in the KKR Playing XI, and it is time that he starts winning them the games after such a start to the season.

As a position would open at the top, the management will have to slot in an Indian batter in the middle order. There can be a debate over Manish Pandey and Rahul Triphati, but Tejasvi Dahiya will likely get a nod in the KKR Playing XI vs LSG.

Playing as Andre Russell's successor, there are tremendously high expectations from Rovman Powell. The former West Indies captain has yet to unleash his monstrous best for KKR this season. Batting at six, he would get more deliveries to punish the opposition bowlers.

Although KKR's trusted all-rounder Ramandeep Singh is having an awful season, Anukul Roy is doing well for the three-time champions. The two all-rounders need to come good in the KKR Playing XI vs LSG.

Bowlers: Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Matheesha Pathirana

The biggest positive in the KKR Playing XI vs LSG is Matheesha Pathirana's availability. The Sri Lankan quick has took a good time to recover, but now he is back and will be a robust to the KKR bowling department. Pathirana will great addition, as he will be safe as a house in death overs.

Vaibhav Arora and Kartik Tyagi will take care of the new-ball in the KKR Playing XI. Tyagi has been one of the most impressive young Indian pacemen, especially after a poor start to the season. Arora, on the other hand, has been proving his worth for a couple of seasons now. Kartik Tyagi is expected to be the Impact Player.

The spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy were one of the biggest reasons behind KKR's maiden victory of the IPL 2026. They shared five wickets between them vs RR, and will be more than handy at Ekana.

KKR Playing XI vs LSG- Match 38, IPL 2026

Ajinkya Rahane (c)
Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk)
Cameron Green
Rinku Singh
Tejasvi Dahiya
Rovman Powell
Ramandeep Singh
Anukul Roy
Sunil Narine
Vaibhav Arora
Varun Chakaravarthy
Matheesha Pathirana