38th match IPL 2026 sees two teams desperate for a comeback Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hosted by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Ekana Stadium. Both franchises are currently at the bottom of the table with LSG at 9th and KKR at 10th.
This is a high-stakes encounter for both sides. Lucknow Super Giants started the season strong but have since gone on a four-match losing streak. captain Rishabh pants is under a lot of pressure to justify the price tag and outdo it with the bat.
Led by Kolkata Knight Riders Ajinkya Rahanerecently snapped a six-match winless drought with a thrilling win over Rajasthan Royals. They will look to carry that momentum into Lucknow to ignite a promotion run later in the season. In their previous meeting at the Eden Gardens earlier this season, LSG won a last-ball thriller, giving them a slight psychological edge.
Ekana Stadium Pitch Report
Ekana Stadium is known for its balanced and slow black clay surface. The pitch tends to slow down significantly after the first 8 overs, making it difficult to pick up the middle order. significant help for spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakrabortyand Aiden Markram. 170+ is considered a very competitive and hard to chase total here. Due to the average dew factor in the second innings, teams often prefer to bowl first, which makes it difficult for the bowler to catch the ball.
Lucknow Weather Forecast
Lucknow is set for a foggy and hot evening as Lucknow Super Giants take on Kolkata Knight Riders in this evening’s IPL 2026 clash. The temperature around the start of the game is expected to be close to 33°C, making the conditions a bit difficult for the players, especially in the first innings. Although it will be an evening game, the weather will still be quite warm due to the dry atmosphere and limited cloud cover.
With a 0% chance of rain, there is no threat of rain at the Ekana Stadium ensuring a full stoppage time match. Humidity is very low at just 19%, meaning the heat will feel dry rather than sticky. Foggy conditions and visibility of around 5 km may affect aerial visibility under lights slightly, but is unlikely to have a major impact on gameplay.
West-northwest winds at 17 km/h, gusts up to 37 km/h can help the fast bowlers early, especially with the new ball. And the batsmen should enjoy the surface once they settle down as dry conditions usually favor the batting game in Lucknow. With only 32% cloud cover and a dew point of 9°C, no significant dew is expected during the late hours of the night, which could make bowling relatively comfortable in the second innings.
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