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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are to face each other today (23 May) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Both the teams will clash at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow from 7:30 pm onwards. PBKS has lost 6 consecutive matches and its playoff ticket is at stake. Today it is a do or die contest for him. If it loses to LSG then its journey will stop here.

PBKS’s breathing is stuck

PBKS team was invincible in the first half of IPL 2026. He had won 6 in 7 matches. One of his matches was lost due to rain. She was the table topper with 13 points in 7 matches. It was believed that PBKS would easily finish in the top-2 but after this suddenly the script changed. Now there are question marks even if he reaches the playoffs. Despite the win against LSG, he will have to pray that Mumbai Indians team beats Rajasthan Royals, only then things will be resolved for him.

PBKS can land in Ekana without any changes. Marcus Stoinis can again be fielded as an impact player, due to which Yuzvendra Chahal will get support from Harpreet Brar in the spin department.

LSG has nothing to lose

LSG’s journey under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant has been full of ups and downs. The team has been able to achieve only 4 wins in 14 matches, out of which 2 have come in the last 4 matches. LSG is at the last position in the points table. She would like to end the season with a win. He has nothing to lose. In such a situation, she can spoil the game of PBKS. However, in this match LSG will have to field without Mitchell Marsh. He is not available for selection.

How will be the pitch of Ekana Stadium?

The match between LSG and PBSK will be played on pitch number 5 of Ekana Stadium. This pitch is of mixed soil, where there is equal support for both batsman and bowler. It will be beneficial to bowl first after winning the toss in Ekana. The temperature is expected to be 35 degrees Celsius and there is no chance of rain in this match.

Probable playing XI of both the teams:

Lucknow Super Giants – Arshin Kulkarni, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi.

Punjab Kings – Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.