Lucknow Super Giants will take on Rajasthan Royals in match number 32 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) at the Ekana Stadium on Wednesday, April 22.

Both sides will be aiming to bounce back after a couple of defeats in their previous games.

LSG vs RR match preview

LSG who have had a terrible start to their campaign, are desperate for a win to keep themselves alive in the tournament. Currently placed ninth on the points table with just two wins in six games, they are coming into this clash on the back of three consecutive defeats.

Their batting, despite being filled with power-packed hitters, has been disappointing, while the bowling unit has lacked the muscle to contain the flow of runs. The side is already under heavy pressure, especially after the thrashing defeat against Punjab Kings in their previous outing.

Led by Rishabh Pant, LSG need to find a way out quickly, otherwise it could be too late for them in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have had a slightly similar story. They began their campaign with four consecutive wins and looked like an unstoppable force. However, they have now suffered two back-to-back defeats, with the latest loss coming against Kolkata Knight Riders, who had not won a match before that game.

Led by skipper Riyan Parag, who himself has had a difficult season with the bat, Rajasthan Royals will be eager to bounce back. However, their top-order batters like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been doing a phenomenal job.

LSG vs RR head-to-head record

• Total Matches: 6
• Rajasthan Royals won: 4
• Lucknow Super Giants won: 2

LSG vs RR key players

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – The 15-year-old prodigy has been making headlines throughout the season and will once again be under the spotlight. With 246 runs in six matches, he needs to step up once again.

Mitchell Marsh – The Australian powerhouse, who had a sensational last season, has not really got going this time around. With the side already under massive scrutiny, he needs to deliver on the big stage.

Jofra Archer – Archer showed his class in the previous match when he dismissed Tim Seifert on the very first ball. Known for his pace and ability to swing the ball early, he will be crucial for Rajasthan Royals.

Mohammed Shami – Shami has bowled some good spells this season but has not yet found his best rhythm. Being the senior-most bowler in the LSG attack, he needs to take more responsibility.

LSG vs RR predicted playing XI

Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (wk/c), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth, Mohsin Khan.

Impact Player: Digvesh Rathi

Rajasthan Royals: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi.

Impact Player: Shubham Dubey

LSG vs RR match prediction

LSG already have a poor record at their home venue and are yet to win a match at home this season. They will be desperate to turn things around, but the team looks sluggish and out of form in almost every department.

Rajasthan Royals, despite their recent losses, have been a strong side overall with several players in top form. Considering all the factors, they appear to have the edge in this contest.

Prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win the match