Match: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR), IPL 2026 Match 32
Date: April 22, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

The 32nd match of IPL 2026 brings together two teams desperate to break their losing streaks. Lucknow Super Giants have lost three consecutive matches and are languishing in ninth place on the points table. Rajasthan Royals started the season with four straight wins but have since suffered two defeats, slipping to fourth position . Both sides are in urgent need of a course correction, setting up a high-stakes contest at the Ekana Stadium.

Team Form & Head-to-Head Record

LSG’s recent form reads L, L, L, W, W, while RR’s last five matches show L, L, W, W, W. The two teams have faced each other six times in IPL history, with Rajasthan Royals holding a commanding 4–2 lead. Notably, RR are unbeaten at the Ekana Stadium, having successfully chased down 196 to win by seven wickets in their last visit here in 2024. LSG, on the other hand, have won just two of their nine matches at this venue since the start of IPL 2025.

Pitch Report & Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Ekana Cricket Stadium is traditionally slow, with low-to-medium bounce that heavily aids spinners, particularly during the middle overs when the ball grips and turns . Fast bowlers who hit the deck can extract help early on, but scoring freely becomes difficult as the innings progresses. The average first-innings score is around 170–180, and teams bowling first have a win percentage of 63% at this venue .

The weather in Lucknow will be hot and dry, with clear skies and no rain expected. Temperatures will hover around 30–32°C with moderate humidity. Dew may play a factor in the second innings, which could assist batters .

Key Players to Watch

Rajasthan Royals:

Vaibhav Suryavanshi (246 runs, SR 236) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (223 runs) form the most explosive opening pair in IPL 2026, averaging 54.66 at a run-rate of 11.44 . Their powerplay run rate of 12.1 is the highest of any team this season.
Dhruv Jurel (181 runs) has provided stability at No. 3 with two half-centuries.
Ravi Bishnoi (10 wickets) and Jofra Archer (8 wickets) lead a potent spin–pace attack.

Lucknow Super Giants:

Aiden Markram (162 runs, SR 160.39) has been LSG’s most consistent batter, followed by Mitchell Marsh (155 runs).
Prince Yadav (11 wickets, economy 8.59) has been outstanding with the new ball and in the death overs .
Rishabh Pant (147 runs) and Ayush Badoni (148 runs) are capable of accelerating the innings, but LSG’s batting unit has struggled for consistency throughout the season.

Match Prediction: Who Will Win?

Based on team balance, recent form, and the head-to-head record, Rajasthan Royals are the clear favourites to win this IPL 2026 encounter. Here is why:

Superior opening firepower: RR’s top order is statistically the best in the league, while LSG have the second-lowest powerplay scoring rate (8.7) and are the only team yet to post a 200-plus total this season .
Head-to-head dominance: RR have won four of the six meetings between these sides, including both matches at the Ekana Stadium.
LSG’s batting woes: Nicholas Pooran has managed just 51 runs in six innings at a below-par strike rate, and the entire LSG batting lineup has averaged under 30 this season .
Bowling advantage for RR: Ravi Bishnoi, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger have taken 24 wickets between them, forming a well-rounded attack.

Scenario 1 (LSG bat first): Powerplay score 45–55, predicted total 165–170 → RR to win.
Scenario 2 (RR bat first): Powerplay score 50–60, predicted total 175–190 → RR to win.

Predicted Playing XIs

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

Rajasthan Royals (RR): 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: Sandeep Sharma / Yash Raj Punia .

Final Verdict

Winner Prediction: Rajasthan Royals (RR) are expected to win this match and get their campaign back on track. While LSG have the home advantage, their batting struggles and poor record at the Ekana Stadium make it difficult to see them overcoming a well-balanced RR side. If LSG’s bowlers can dismiss the RR openers early, they might have a chance, but the odds heavily favour Rajasthan.

Betting Tips (for informational purposes only): RR are slight favourites with most betting platforms offering odds around 1.90–1.95. The safer bet is on RR to win. Given the pitch conditions, betting on the team bowling first could be a smart option, as 63% of matches at this venue have been won by the chasing side. Additionally, betting on Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Yashasvi Jaiswal to be RR’s top batter is a strong pick given their current form.

Disclaimer: This match prediction is based on analysis and available data. Cricket is an unpredictable sport, and no outcome is guaranteed. Betting involves financial risk; please gamble responsibly and in accordance with local laws. on Allpaanel