Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are hosting Axar Patel’s Delhi Capitals (DC) in their first game of IPL 2026. The fixture is taking place at the Ekana Stadium. All eyes were on Arjun Tendulkar going into the fixture as he left Mumbai Indians (MI) and joined LSG via trade. The fans were expecting Arjun to make his LSG debut against DC. But that didn’t happen. Arjun isn’t part of the Lucknow Super Giants’ playing XI against Delhi Capitals. He isn’t even in the list of Impact Players. Hence, Arjun will have to wait to make his debut for LSG.
Mohammed Shami is playing his first game for LSG. The right-arm pacer joined the Lucknow-based franchise via trade before the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Delhi Capitals opt to bowl
Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl first in their first game of the season. Pathum Nissanka, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs and Lungi Ngidi are four overseas players in their playing XI. Auqib Nabi was included in the list of Impact Players. Since DC are bowling first, the right-arm pacer won’t get to make his IPL debut.
Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana and David Miller are playing their first match for DC. DC signed Nitish via trade. He was part of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025.
“We will bowl first. First match, fresh wicket, it’s a red solid wicket and might help in the first 6 overs. Data says a lot of matches are won by the team batting first, but we thought it’s the first game and we will bowl. We started well last time, but we slipped in the middle, we’re not thinking too far ahead. Nissanka, Miller, Stubbs and Lungi Ngidi, our four overseas players,” DC captain Axar Patel said at the toss.
“It doesn’t matter on a wicket like this, it won’t change a lot as I don’t think dew will come. It’s completely new – we’ve changed our color and logo. No negative thoughts, we’re feeling good and raring to go. Last season there were injury concerns, but as a captain you can’t dwell on them too much. Everyone is fit this time around. Markram, Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Anrich Nortje are our four. overseas players,” said LSG captain Rishabh Pant.
Here are playing XIs of both teams
Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant (Captain), Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Mohsin Khan, Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje, Prince Yadav.
Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel (Captain), KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar
