IPL 2026 | Match 5: LSG vs DC | Preview and Predictions

Match 5 of the 2026 IPL season will be played between the Lucknow Super Giants and the Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 1st April 2026. 

Here’s our preview and prediction for the game. 

Indian Premier League 2026 | Match 5: Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | 19:30 IST, 1st April 2026

The Delhi Capitals had started the 2025 IPL season superbly but an underwhelming end to the group stage saw them narrowly miss out on the play-offs berth by a point. DC only managed to win one game from their last five, ending the season in disappointment. Their middle and lower order batting let them down more often with their pace bowling also being wayward under pressure despite having a top bowling attack. Though they have fixed the batting issue by bringing in the very experienced David Miller to the side. 

As for the Lucknow Super Giants, they ended last season in seventh place losing four out of their last five games of the group stage. Captain Rishabh Pant who had been the most expensive buy of the mega-auction failed to justify his exorbitant price tag and none of their players barring Nicholas Pooran performed consistently. 

Coming to this season’s IPL, DC has already been weakened with Aussie fast bowler Mitchell Starc set to miss the early part of the season due to injury issues while England opener Ben Duckett has also withdrawn to focus on his National Team. DC do have top pace bowlers in Lungi Ngidi and Auqib Nabi who can handle the pace bowling attack in Stark’s absence. DC could also go for Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk or Englishman Jonny Bairstow as Duckett’s possible replacements. They also have Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka who could bat up the order. 

LSG also has some key players set to miss the early part of the season with Wanindu Hasaranga (hamstring injury), Josh Inglis (wedding) and pacer Mayank Yadav (back injury) seemingly doubtful. The rest of their squad is available for selection though. 

Coming to this game, LSG would be looking to secure a winning start at home. LSG’s batting is strong with Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran being the dangerous batters who play with a high strike-rate. In the bowling department, they have the wily Ravi Bishnoi who can trouble the Delhi batters along with express pace in Anrich Nortje and Mohammed Shami. 

DC on the other hand, has the ever-reliable KL Rahul up the order and may need support from Abhishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma and David Miller to help them set a high target or chase down a competitive total.  The Ekana Stadium tends to favour the spinners and isn’t a straight forward belter where scoring is easy. DC have the advantage here with the spin bowling trio of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam being one of the best in the league. The DC fast bowling attack also has quality with Lungi Ngidi, Auqib Nabi and Mukesh Sharma who are all wicket-taking bowlers. 

With DC having the better head-to-head record against LSG, the visitors hold an edge in this game and hence, we feel that this opening game will end in a victory for the Delhi franchise. 

Fantasy XI: KL Rahul, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran. Rishabh Pant (wk), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (c), Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Lungi Ngidi. 

Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow 

Winner’s Prediction: Delhi Capitals