Lucknow Super Giants take on Delhi Capitals in Match 5 of IPL 2026 at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on April 1. This is a fascinating match with a dramatic subplot — Rishabh Pant captains LSG against Delhi Capitals, the franchise he led to the IPL 2022 final. Here is our complete Dream11 team prediction.
LSG vs DC Dream11 Team — Best XI (Safe)
Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant (LSG) ₹10.5cr
Batters: KL Rahul (DC) ₹10.5cr, Nicholas Pooran (LSG) ₹10cr, Aiden Markram (LSG) ₹9cr
All-rounders: Mitchell Marsh (LSG) ₹9.5cr, Axar Patel (DC) ₹9.5cr, Abdul Samad (LSG) ₹8cr
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav (DC) ₹10cr, Mohammed Shami (LSG) ₹9.5cr, T Natarajan (DC) ₹8.5cr, Avesh Khan (LSG) ₹8cr
Captain and Vice-Captain Picks
Captain: Rishabh Pant (LSG) — Pant is the standout captain pick for this match. He opens for LSG, keeps wicket, and is in the form of his life after winning the Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup 2026. At his home ground in Lucknow, Pant will be motivated to show Delhi Capitals exactly what they lost. His fantasy average of 70+ points and the dual WK + BAT scoring makes him the highest ceiling captain in this match.
Vice-Captain: KL Rahul (DC) — Rahul returns to Lucknow as Delhi's batting anchor — the same franchise he captained from 2022-2024. He knows this pitch intimately and will be desperate to prove his worth to a new team. Rahul's consistent T20 form and Lucknow record make him the safest vice-captain choice regardless of toss.
Key Players to Watch
Kuldeep Yadav (DC): The wrist-spinner is the most dangerous bowler in this match at Ekana. The Lucknow pitch takes significant turn in the middle overs and Kuldeep's left-arm wrist-spin is virtually unplayable on such surfaces. He has a brilliant record at Ekana from his LSG days — now he'll be using that knowledge against them. Must-pick in every team.
Nicholas Pooran (LSG): The West Indian wicket-keeper batter was LSG's best performer in IPL 2025, leading the six-hitting charts. At home in Lucknow, Pooran bats at number 4 with freedom and power. His explosive hitting in the death overs makes him a premium fantasy asset.
Differential Pick — Abdul Samad (LSG)
Samad is the differential pick for this match. He finishes innings for LSG at number 7-8, bowling 2-3 overs of off-spin in the middle period. Low ownership under 12% makes him a genuine grand league differential. At ₹8cr he gives outstanding value for his all-round contribution. If LSG bat first, Samad's death-over hitting can easily produce 35-50 fantasy points.
Fantasy Tips Summary
- Ekana is a spin-friendly surface — pick Kuldeep and at least one LSG spinner
- Team batting second wins more often at Ekana — load up on batting second team after toss
- Pant is the highest ceiling captain in both teams
- KL Rahul vs Kuldeep Yadav is the defining battle of this match
For live team updates after toss, visit our LSG vs DC Dream11 optimizer page.
