Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face off on Wednesday, April 22, in match 32 of IPL 2026. The contest is scheduled to get underway at 7:30 pm IST at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
The Rishabh Pant-led LSG are searching for momentum following three losses on the trot. With just two wins from six outings, they are currently placed ninth in the IPL 2026 points table.
RR, meanwhile, had a dominant start with a four-match unbeaten streak. However, Riyan Parag and Co. have suffered defeats in their previous two fixtures and will be eager to return to winning ways.
Out of the six games between the two sides, RR have the edge over LSG with a 4-2 lead in the head-to-head record. Lucknow eked out a narrow two-run win when the sides locked horns last year. Pacer Avesh Khan defended nine runs from the final over to help his side seal victory.
Here, we look at three interesting matchups that could dictate different stages of the match.
#3 Mohammad Shami (LSG) vs Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR)
Veteran pacer Mohammad Shami‘s new-ball bowling exploits will be key for Lucknow against Rajasthan’s destructive opening pair. Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been ruthless against top bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood this season.
The 15-year-old is expected to launch an early counterattack here as well, but will be challenged by Shami’s discipline and swing. The youngster has scored 246 runs across six innings at an astonishing strike rate of 236.53.
Shami has picked up five wickets from six innings with an economy rate of 8.08. Lucknow would rely on the seasoned campaigner to stop Suryavanshi’s blitzkrieg.
#2 Nicholas Pooran (LSG) vs Jofra Archer (RR)
Nicholas Pooran has looked like a pale version of his glorious past in IPL 2026. The swashbuckling batter has just 51 runs to his name from six matches at a strike rate of 79.68. The southpaw has yet to cross the 20-run mark in an innings.
RR skipper Riyan Parag using an over of Jofra Archer when Pooran is at the crease could be a smart move. The southpaw has lost his wicket thrice to the speedster while scoring 45 runs off 41 balls at a strike rate of 109.75. Archer has picked up eight wickets from six games at an economy rate of 8.52 in IPL 2026.
#1 Avesh Khan (LSG) vs Riyan Parag (RR)
RR captain Riyan Parag‘s batting form has come under scrutiny. The right-handed batter averages 12.20, mustering 61 runs across six innings with a highest score of 20 runs.
LSG pacer Avesh Khan has kept Parag in check. He has dismissed him twice in eight balls and conceded just 16 runs off as many balls. Their mini-battle in the middle overs could potentially decide which team will gain the upper hand before the final phase.
Avesh has taken five wickets from as many outings so far in the season and has an economy rate of 10.17.
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Edited by Aditya Suketu Desai
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