Lucknow Super Giants take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 38 of IPL 2026 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium. Both teams aim to revive their campaigns, with LSG fighting for survival and KKR seeking momentum after a long wait for victory.
Match details
Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
Date: April 26, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST | 7:00 PM PST | 2:00 PM GMT
Team overviews
Lucknow Super Giants, led by Rishabh Pant, have struggled for consistency this season, losing four matches in a row heading into this contest. They need a strong turnaround to stay in contention for a playoff spot and will look to capitalize on home conditions.
Kolkata Knight Riders, captained by Ajinkya Rahane, finally secured their first win of the season after a six-match winless streak. That victory could serve as a turning point, and they will aim to build momentum and climb up the points table.
Key players
For Kolkata Knight Riders, Cameron Green will be a key figure in the middle order. Known for his all-round abilities, he is expected to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed.
Lucknow Super Giants will depend on emerging pacer Prince Yadav, who has impressed with his ability to deliver in both the powerplay and death overs. His control and wicket-taking ability make him a crucial asset.
Other impactful players include experienced batters and all-rounders who can adapt to the challenging pitch conditions.
Head-to-head record
Lucknow Super Giants have dominated this fixture historically, winning five out of seven encounters, while Kolkata Knight Riders have managed two victories. LSG also won the most recent clash earlier this season.
Pitch report
The Ekana Stadium in Lucknow is known for assisting bowlers, especially on black soil surfaces that tend to be two-paced. Batting can be challenging, and the average first-innings score remains below 160. Teams are likely to prefer chasing, given the conditions and difficulty in setting a target.
Probable playing XIs
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Captain: Rishabh Pant
Mitchell Marsh, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (c) (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Mayank Yadav
Impact Player: Abdul Samad
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Captain: Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Matheesha Pathirana
Impact Player: Kartik Tyagi
Probable match scenarios
Powerplay scores could range between 50 and 70, depending on how teams approach the early overs. Lucknow might aim for totals around 175 to 185, while Kolkata could target 170 to 180. The chasing team is expected to have a clear advantage due to the nature of the pitch.
Live streaming and broadcast
India: JioStar Network channels, JioHotstar app and website
Pakistan: JioHotstar app and website, local broadcasters as available
UK: Official IPL broadcast partners on television and streaming services
Australia: Official sports networks and streaming platforms covering IPL
Global: JioHotstar and official IPL broadcast partners depending on region
Match prediction
Lucknow Super Giants hold a stronger head-to-head record and will benefit from home conditions. However, their recent form remains a concern. Kolkata Knight Riders, boosted by their first win, could pose a serious challenge if they maintain momentum. The toss will be crucial, with chasing teams likely to dominate. Lucknow Super Giants appear slightly ahead with a 65 percent win probability, but Kolkata Knight Riders have the potential to turn the contest into a close battle.
