🏏 IPL 2026: Match 5, LSG vs DC at Lucknow🏏

Lucknow is locked in and loud as Match 05 of TATA IPL 2026 brings back a spicy rivalry under the Ekana lights. Lucknow Super Giants take on Delhi Capitals in a clash that already has history written all over it. For context, rewind to IPL 2025’s opener - a certified humdinger where Delhi snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, thanks to Ashutosh Sharma’s ice cold last over finish and some clutch support from Vipraj Nigam. That game still lives rent free in fans’ heads, and tonight feels like unfinished business.

LSG are pulling up stacked, especially in the pace department. The return of Mohammed Shami brings old school control and big game experience, while left arm angle merchant Mohsin Khan adds variety. And then there’s Mayank Yadav - the human speedgun. If Ekana offers its usual two paced bounce early on, this trio could straight up make life uncomfortable for Delhi’s top order.

But don’t sleep on the Capitals. The big headline David Miller in Delhi colours, turning up against his former franchise. The man’s clutch gene is elite, and in pressure chases, he’s still him. Pair that with Delhi’s fearless middle order, and you’ve got a unit that thrives when chaos hits.

Ekana usually rewards discipline and smart match ups, so expect captains to play chess, not checkers. With emotion, history, and serious firepower on both sides, this one’s giving high voltage vibes. Fans, lock in — this could be cinema again.

Venue at a Glance
Ekana Stadium has leaned heavily towards chasing sides in recent times. Across the 15 IPL matches played here since 2024, teams batting second have dominated with 10 wins, while those setting a target have managed just five victories. The average first innings score is a formidable 189, with powerplays producing around 57 runs. Death overs have offered little relief to bowlers, who have conceded at 10.5 runs an over. Pace bowlers have enjoyed greater success, accounting for 70 percent of the wickets, while spinners have chipped in with the remaining 30 percent..

Head-to-Head in IPL

Delhi Capitals hold a narrow advantage over Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL rivalry, edging ahead with four wins compared to LSG’s three across seven encounters. With such fine margins separating the two sides, this matchup remains delicately balanced and primed for another closely fought contest.

Team news - Mayank fit

If Nortje takes Hasaranga's place, LSG will have to use an Indian batter as Impact Sub. Aside from those likely to start, the frontline options include Akshat Raghuwanshi, Mukul Choudhary and Himmat Singh. LSG head coach Justin Langer confirmed that Mayank Yadav is fit and will start the season.

LSG (probable): 1 Mitchell Marsh*, 2 Aiden Markram*, 3 Nicholas Pooran*, 4 Rishabh Pant (capt, wk), 5 Ayush Badoni, 6 Abdul Samad, 7 Akshat Raghuwanshi/Himmat Singh, 8 Shahbaz Ahmed, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Mayank Yadav, 11 Digvesh Rathi, 12 Anrich Nortje*

DC might replace Starc with another left-arm seamer in T Natarajan. Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera could tip Lungi Ngidi as their overseas quick. Unlike LSG, DC have a strong middle order of Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel and David Miller. Auqib Nabi, who has lit up the 2025-26 domestic season, is likely to make his IPL debut.

DC (probable): 1 KL Rahul (wk), 2 Pathum Nissanka*, 3 Nitish Rana, 4 Tristan Stubbs*, 5 Axar Patel (capt), 6 David Miller*, 7 Ashutosh Sharma, 8 Vipraj Nigam, 9 Auqib Nabi, 10 Dushmantha Chameera*, 11 Kuldeep Yadav, 12 T Natarajan

In the spotlight - Mayank Yadav and Nitish Rana

Mayank Yadav burst into the limelight by breaching the 150kph mark in IPL 2024. But in nearly two years, he has played just seven competitive matches across formats having been troubled by injuries. After being ruled out of IPL 2024 midway and missing IPL 2025 entirely, Mayank heads into this IPL with a green signal. Will this one finally be his season?

Nitish Rana is set to represent a third different IPL team in as many seasons. He played just two games in Kolkata Knight Riders' victorious campaign in 2024 and scored only 217 runs in 11 innings for Rajasthan Royals in 2025. However, Rana enters IPL 2026 as Delhi's highest run-getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. If DC pick him at No. 3, he has the chance to bat long in the IPL too.

Stats and trivia

• Kuldeep Yadav has had success over Pant in T20s. The left-arm wristspinner has given away just 23 runs off the 25 balls he has bowled to Pant, and dismissed him three times.
• The run rate at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow has increased with every IPLsince matches started being held there in 2023. The number has gone from 7.36 in the first season to 8.94 in 2024 and 9.83 in 2025.

Pitch and conditions

Pitch no. 4 will be used for Wednesday's fixture at the Ekana Stadium. The average first innings score here last IPL was 187, a slight fall from the 203 in 2024. The temperature in Lucknow is expected to be 28 degrees Celsius in the evening, with no chance of rain.

Quotes

"There's pressure every season. I've been doing this for a long time. I've had pressure on me for 30 years. Every time I batted, there was pressure on me. Every time I've coached a side, there's pressure on me. Every time, for 30 years."

LSG head coach Justin Langer knows how to deal with pressure

"In India, [there are] good batting wickets and small grounds. So it's tough to bowl in these conditions - especially for fast bowlers. So mentally we have to prepare well."

DC quick Dushmantha Chameera is up for the challenge

Thank you for the tag ☺️

Good luck to both teams

Thank you Soni, for the thread and for tagging.

Best wishes to both the teams.