The 2026 Indian Premier League season continues to provide tactical masterclasses and high-level drama service Punjab Kings (PBKS) play host Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 29th match of the tournament. Sunday’s clash at the picturesque Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium presents an interesting battle between two captains of contrasting fortunes: Shreyas Iyerleading the unbeatable PBKS juggernaut, and Rishabh pantswants to lead a stuttering LSG in the playoff race.
Pant, who won the toss, opted to bowl first, citing the ease of chasing and the high-scoring nature of the New Chandigarh track. However, the biggest talking point before the first ball was bowled was LSG’s lack of increased spin sensation. Digvesh Rathifrom the starting line-up.
Why is Digvesh Rathi not playing in today’s game against Punjab Kings?
Rathi’s exclusion from the playing XI has raised eyebrows in the cricketing community. Rathi, who was introduced as LSG’s main rotation option after his departure Ravi Bishnoifinds himself on the bench for this critical encounter.
The decision appears to be a mix of tactical restructuring and recent form. While Rathi has been brilliant this season, claiming three wickets in four matches, his last outing against RCB saw him go wicketless and cost a bit too much. Captain Pant clarified the team’s choice of batting Manimaran Siddharth to provide a different dimension to the attack. Siddharth’s orthodox left-arm spin appears to be a strategic counter to Punjab Kings’ top order, which includes explosive right-handers. Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh.
Playing XI and effective substitutes of both teams
Lucknow Super Giants (XI plays)
Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (wk/c), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth, Mohsin Khan.
Effect Substitutes: Abdul Samad, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Matthew Bretzke, Mayank Yadav, Himmat Singh
Kings of the Punjab (XI plays)
Prabhsimran Singh (hft), Priyansh Arya, Cooper ConnollyShreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Effect Substitutes: Vijaykumar Vyshak, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod
Also WATCH: Shreyas Iyer’s mind blowing fielding brilliance gets rid of Hardik Pandya in MI vs PBKS IPL 2026 clash.
