Captain & Vice-Captain Picks
Sam Curran
Kagiso Rabada
Top 5 Must-Pick Players
Sam Curran
Kagiso Rabada
Marcus Stoinis
KL Rahul
Liam Livingstone
Full Player Rankings
| # | Player | Team | Role | Credits | Form | Venue | Pitch | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Sam Curran | | All-rounder | 9 | 76 | 15 | 18 | 88.9 |
| VC | Kagiso Rabada | | Bowler | 9.5 | 82 | 15 | 18 | 86.5 |
| 3 | Marcus Stoinis | | All-rounder | 9 | 74 | 15 | 16.5 | 86.1 |
| 4 | KL Rahul | | WK-Batter | 10 | 75 | 15 | 16.5 | 84.9 |
| 5 | Liam Livingstone | | All-rounder | 9 | 70 | 15 | 16.5 | 84 |
| 6 | Quinton de Kock | | WK-Batter | 9.5 | 72 | 15 | 16.5 | 83.2 |
| 7 | Arshdeep Singh | | Bowler | 8.5 | 78 | 15 | 16.5 | 83.1 |
| 8 | Ravi Bishnoi | | Bowler | 8.5 | 76 | 15 | 16.5 | 82.3 |
| 9 | Mark Wood | | Bowler | 8.5 | 70 | 15 | 16.5 | 79 |
| 10 | Shikhar Dhawan | | Batter | 9 | 62 | 15 | 15 | 74.1 |
Pitch Report — Ekana
Ekana offers a good batting surface with even bounce and large dimensions. Running between wickets is crucial as the big outfield limits boundary opportunities. Spinners find assistance in the middle overs.
Bat first in evening games. The pitch plays best early and the large outfield makes chasing harder.
Head-to-Head Record
Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings are evenly matched with 3 wins apiece. Both franchises are chasing their first IPL title, adding extra intensity to this rivalry between two teams desperate for silverware.
LSG vs PBKS — Match Preview
LSG host PBKS at Ekana in a match between two teams desperate for playoff qualification. De Kock vs Rabada is a South African rivalry transplanted to Indian soil. Pooran's power-hitting against Arshdeep's left-arm pace will be the key battle in the death overs.
Why Watch This Match
- De Kock vs Rabada — South African teammates as IPL rivals
- Pooran's power vs Arshdeep's death bowling
- Bishnoi at Ekana — home ground advantage for the leg-spinner
- Must-win territory for both teams in the playoff race