Nicholas Pooran To Be Dropped? LSG Strongest XI For IPL 2026 Match 38 Vs KKR

Lucknow Super Giants - (Source: AFP)

On Sunday, April 26, there is a double-header, and Lucknow Super Giants will host Kolkata Knight Riders in the evening game at the Ekana Stadium. It will be the second time this season that the two teams square off.

The last time these two teams met, Lucknow Super Giants scripted a historic win when Mukul Choudhary slammed a brilliant fifty and took his team home. Therefore, the Knight Riders, who are placed 10th on the table, would look to avenge their previous defeat and bounce back.

LSG vs KKR Preview

For KKR, they have been boosted by Matheesha Pathirana’s return, and the Sri Lanka seamer will be a great addition to the squad. Also, key changes are expected to turn things around. Notably, KKR have won just a solitary match in this tournament.

The Lucknow Super Giants also need to make a few changes to their squad. Mayank Yadav returned to the team. However, he didn’t have a dream return, and now there are doubts over his retention in the team. Further, Josh Inglis’ selection will also be in contention.

Therefore, this article will shed light on Lucknow Super Giants’ strongest playing XI vs KKR.

LSG Likely Playing XI vs KKR- Match 38

Openers and Top Order (Mitchell Marsh, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant)

Lucknow Super Giants are unlikely to make any changes to their top-3. Mitchell Marsh was the sole positive for the franchise against the Rajasthan Royals, where the team tumbled for 119 runs. In that game, Marsh was the top scorer with 55 (41).

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Other than that, Ayush Badoni has had a decent IPL so far, scoring 146 runs in seven innings, averaging 21.14. Eyes are also on Rishabh Pant to return to his finest. The skipper is irreplaceable in the team, despite scoring a duck in the previous match against the Rajasthan Royals.

Middle Order and All Rounders (Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke,Mukul Choudhary, Arjun Tendulkar)

In the middle order, Lucknow Super Giants are expected to make a couple of changes. Nicholas Pooran has been handed a lot of opportunities, and it is likely that the southpaw might make way for Matthew Breetzke.

Talking about Nicholas Pooran’s numbers, the 30-year-old has just 73 runs in 7 innings in IPL 2026. Further, Arjun Tendulkar might make way for Himmat Singh. Arjun’s inclusion will add batting depth and also an extra bowler to the team.

Bowlers (Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Mohsin Khan)

Bowling has been the only department that has been good for the Lucknow Super Giants. Notably, the bowling unit restricted the Rajasthan Royals to 159 runs in the last match. Therefore, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, and Mohsin Khan will lead the pace unit.

Further, Digvesh Rathi will be the sole spinner in the team. Further, M Siddharth is expected to be the impact sub.

LSG Strongest Playing XI vs KKR- Match 38, IPL 2026

Mitchell Marsh
Ayush Badoni
Rishabh Pant
Aiden Markram
Matthew Breetzke
Mukul Choudhary
Arjun Tendulkar
Mohammed Shami
Prince Yadav
Digvesh Rathi
Mohsin Khan