Match 5 of IPL 2026 at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow is loaded with drama before a ball has been bowled. Rishabh Pant, who captained Delhi Capitals from 2021 to the IPL 2022 final, now leads Lucknow Super Giants — and faces his old team for the first time. KL Rahul, who captained LSG from 2022 to 2024, walks out at Ekana wearing Delhi blue. This is one of the most storyline-rich fixtures of the early IPL 2026 season.
The Storylines
Rishabh Pant faces Delhi Capitals: Pant spent his entire IPL career at Delhi Capitals — from 2016 to 2024. He was their captain, their talisman, and the player around whom they built their future. Traded to LSG ahead of IPL 2026, Pant will now face DC at his new home in Lucknow. After winning the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament award in 2026, Pant is in the form of his life. Expect fireworks when he walks out to bat against his former teammates.
KL Rahul returns to Ekana: Rahul captained LSG from their first season in 2022 until 2024, becoming one of the most consistent batters in IPL during his Lucknow stint. The Ekana crowd used to chant his name every match. Now he returns in opposition colours for Delhi Capitals. The Lucknow crowd will have mixed feelings — nostalgia for Rahul's contributions mixed with competitive desire to see him fail against their new hero Pant.
Head to Head Record — LSG vs DC
- Total matches: 7
- LSG wins: 3
- DC wins: 4
- DC have a slight edge in this relatively new rivalry
DC won the last four encounters including by 8 wickets in April 2025 and by 1 wicket in a thrilling March 2025 encounter.
Key Player Battles
Rishabh Pant vs Kuldeep Yadav: The most anticipated battle of the match. Kuldeep knows Pant's game inside out from years of playing together at DC. Pant knows Kuldeep's variations equally well. This battle in the middle overs will likely decide the match.
KL Rahul vs Mohammed Shami: LSG specifically bought Shami to give them a quality new-ball threat. Rahul's technique against quality seam bowling has sometimes been questioned. If Shami can nick Rahul off early, LSG will control the powerplay.
Mitchell Marsh vs Axar Patel: The aggressive left-hand spin of Axar against the powerful Mitchell Marsh will be fascinating in the middle overs. Marsh's ability to attack spin could determine whether LSG post a big total or get tied down.
Match Prediction
LSG have home advantage and a settled squad around Pant. DC have the form — they have won 4 of the last 5 encounters and their bowling attack with Kuldeep and Starc/Ngidi is formidable. On an Ekana pitch that Kuldeep knows well, Delhi's spin attack could be decisive. However, Pant's presence and LSG's home crowd make this an even contest. Predicted winner: Delhi Capitals — Kuldeep Yadav on his old home pitch is a match-winner.
