IPL 2026: Confident SRH lick their lips as LSG face tough test in bowler's graveyard
IPL 2026, SRH vs LSG:Sunrisers Hyderabad will be looking to build on their win over Kolkata Knight Riders, while Lucknow Super Giants will be eager to bounce back from their defeat to Delhi Capitals.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will be desperate to get back to what they know best when they host Lucknow Super Giants in their first home game of IPL 2026. And let’s be honest, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium isn’t just batting-friendly anymore, it’s borderline chaos for bowlers. Over the last few seasons, even 220 hasn’t felt safe here, and teams have walked out knowing they’re in for a proper shootout.
Just rewind to last year, a ridiculous 246 from Punjab Kings still wasn’t enough as SRH chased it down with eight wickets in hand. That’s the kind of ground this has become. So yes, Sunday’s first game could very easily turn into another run-fest. While SRH’s batters will be licking their lips, LSG’s bowlers are staring at a serious test with almost no room for error.
SRH didn’t have the best of starts this season, going down heavily to RCB, but they bounced back like a proper unit with a 65-run win over KKR at Eden Gardens. LSG, on the other hand, are still searching for their first win after a shaky start against Delhi Capitals.
SHOULD RISHABH PANT KEEP OPENING?
This is where things get interesting for LSG. Their batting looked completely off against DC. Getting bowled out for 141 in under 19 overs isn’t something you’d associate with a lineup that stacked. Apart from Mitchell Marsh and Abdul Samad, there wasn’t much resistance.
And then there’s the Rishabh Pant question. Should he really be opening? He’s tried it twice for LSG, and it hasn’t worked either time. Meanwhile, Aiden Markram has looked far more settled at the top. There’s a strong case for going back to the more natural Marsh and Markram opening combo.
Nicholas Pooran’s role also needs a rethink. Batting him at No. 5 didn’t quite click, especially with Ayush Badoni pushed up. It felt like LSG overthought their batting order, and it cost them. Against a side like SRH, on a ground like Hyderabad, they can’t afford another muddled outing.
CAN SRH BOWLERS STEP UP IN HYDERABAD?
SRH’s bowling has already had both extremes this season. They were taken apart by RCB, but then flipped the script beautifully against KKR, bundling them out for 161 in just 16 overs.
Jaydev Unadkat and Eshan Malinga bounced back well after a rough first game, while Harsh Dubey made an impression by getting rid of Finn Allen. Shivang Kumar also had a solid debut outing.
But Hyderabad is a different beast altogether. It doesn’t forgive bowlers. And with LSG’s batting firepower, SRH’s bowlers could find themselves under the pump again. This is where execution, not just plans, will matter.
WILL MAYANK RETURN AGAINST SRH?
Short answer, unlikely.
Mayank Yadav missed the last game and, despite being fit, might have to wait a bit longer. The pace unit of Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav and Mohammed Shami did a decent enough job against DC, and LSG probably won’t rush into changes.
One possible tweak could be bringing in Digvesh Rathi. He was in the mix as an Impact Sub last game but wasn’t used, with Shahbaz Ahmed getting the nod instead. That move didn’t quite pay off, and LSG might look at Rathi as a way to strengthen their bowling options.
All things considered, this game has all the ingredients. Big hitters, questionable bowling attacks, and a venue that doesn’t believe in modest totals. If it goes the way Hyderabad games usually do, we’re in for another high-scoring thriller.
HYDERABAD: PITCH AND CONDITIONS
The pitch in Hyderabad has traditionally favoured batters, with an average first-innings score of around 167 across 83 IPL matches since 2008. In the last three seasons, that number has risen sharply to 194 from 19 games, underlining just how much better it has become for batting. Bowlers are likely to endure a difficult outing, with plenty of runs expected to be on offer.
There is a possibility of heavy rain around 3 PM in Hyderabad, which could lead to a delayed start. Cloud cover is expected to fluctuate through the day, with spells of sunshine in between. Temperatures will hover around 36°C, while humidity is likely to remain in the 30s.
SRH vs LSG: HEAD-TO-HEAD
Sunrisers Hyderabad have not enjoyed the best record against Lucknow Super Giants, who have won four of the six meetings between the two sides. In Hyderabad, LSG have also won two of their three matches. However, in their most recent clash, Sunrisers defeated the Super Giants by six wickets in Lucknow.
SRH vs LSG: TEAM NEWS
Pat Cummins has returned to Australia for a final scan on his injured back, according to ESPNcricinfo. He is now expected to rejoin the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp on April 17, subject to clearance from Cricket Australia.
SRH Predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (c) (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora, Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, David Payne
Impact Sub: Eshan Malinga
LSG Predicted XI: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c) (wk), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Mohsin Khan, Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje, Prince Yadav
Impact Sub: Shahbaz Ahmed
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
Sunrisers Hyderabad will be desperate to get back to what they know best when they host Lucknow Super Giants in their first home game of IPL 2026. And let’s be honest, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium isn’t just batting-friendly anymore, it’s borderline chaos for bowlers. Over the last few seasons, even 220 hasn’t felt safe here, and teams have walked out knowing they’re in for a proper shootout.
Just rewind to last year, a ridiculous 246 from Punjab Kings still wasn’t enough as SRH chased it down with eight wickets in hand. That’s the kind of ground this has become. So yes, Sunday’s first game could very easily turn into another run-fest. While SRH’s batters will be licking their lips, LSG’s bowlers are staring at a serious test with almost no room for error.
SRH didn’t have the best of starts this season, going down heavily to RCB, but they bounced back like a proper unit with a 65-run win over KKR at Eden Gardens. LSG, on the other hand, are still searching for their first win after a shaky start against Delhi Capitals.
SHOULD RISHABH PANT KEEP OPENING?
This is where things get interesting for LSG. Their batting looked completely off against DC. Getting bowled out for 141 in under 19 overs isn’t something you’d associate with a lineup that stacked. Apart from Mitchell Marsh and Abdul Samad, there wasn’t much resistance.
And then there’s the Rishabh Pant question. Should he really be opening? He’s tried it twice for LSG, and it hasn’t worked either time. Meanwhile, Aiden Markram has looked far more settled at the top. There’s a strong case for going back to the more natural Marsh and Markram opening combo.
Nicholas Pooran’s role also needs a rethink. Batting him at No. 5 didn’t quite click, especially with Ayush Badoni pushed up. It felt like LSG overthought their batting order, and it cost them. Against a side like SRH, on a ground like Hyderabad, they can’t afford another muddled outing.
CAN SRH BOWLERS STEP UP IN HYDERABAD?
SRH’s bowling has already had both extremes this season. They were taken apart by RCB, but then flipped the script beautifully against KKR, bundling them out for 161 in just 16 overs.
Jaydev Unadkat and Eshan Malinga bounced back well after a rough first game, while Harsh Dubey made an impression by getting rid of Finn Allen. Shivang Kumar also had a solid debut outing.
But Hyderabad is a different beast altogether. It doesn’t forgive bowlers. And with LSG’s batting firepower, SRH’s bowlers could find themselves under the pump again. This is where execution, not just plans, will matter.
WILL MAYANK RETURN AGAINST SRH?
Short answer, unlikely.
Mayank Yadav missed the last game and, despite being fit, might have to wait a bit longer. The pace unit of Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav and Mohammed Shami did a decent enough job against DC, and LSG probably won’t rush into changes.
One possible tweak could be bringing in Digvesh Rathi. He was in the mix as an Impact Sub last game but wasn’t used, with Shahbaz Ahmed getting the nod instead. That move didn’t quite pay off, and LSG might look at Rathi as a way to strengthen their bowling options.
All things considered, this game has all the ingredients. Big hitters, questionable bowling attacks, and a venue that doesn’t believe in modest totals. If it goes the way Hyderabad games usually do, we’re in for another high-scoring thriller.
HYDERABAD: PITCH AND CONDITIONS
The pitch in Hyderabad has traditionally favoured batters, with an average first-innings score of around 167 across 83 IPL matches since 2008. In the last three seasons, that number has risen sharply to 194 from 19 games, underlining just how much better it has become for batting. Bowlers are likely to endure a difficult outing, with plenty of runs expected to be on offer.
There is a possibility of heavy rain around 3 PM in Hyderabad, which could lead to a delayed start. Cloud cover is expected to fluctuate through the day, with spells of sunshine in between. Temperatures will hover around 36°C, while humidity is likely to remain in the 30s.
SRH vs LSG: HEAD-TO-HEAD
Sunrisers Hyderabad have not enjoyed the best record against Lucknow Super Giants, who have won four of the six meetings between the two sides. In Hyderabad, LSG have also won two of their three matches. However, in their most recent clash, Sunrisers defeated the Super Giants by six wickets in Lucknow.
SRH vs LSG: TEAM NEWS
Pat Cummins has returned to Australia for a final scan on his injured back, according to ESPNcricinfo. He is now expected to rejoin the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp on April 17, subject to clearance from Cricket Australia.
SRH Predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (c) (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora, Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, David Payne
Impact Sub: Eshan Malinga
LSG Predicted XI: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c) (wk), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Mohsin Khan, Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje, Prince Yadav
Impact Sub: Shahbaz Ahmed
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
