Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will host Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 15 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at Eden Gardens on Thursday, April 9. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side will play their third home match of the tournament, looking for their first win of the season in front of their home crowd.
Rishabh Pant’s side will enter the contest with momentum after a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders’ previous game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) was abandoned due to rain at home ground. The Ajinkya Rahane-led team started the tournament with back-to-back defeats.
KKR vs LSG Team News
Kolkata Knight Riders continue to struggle with a depleted bowling attack. The management will rely heavily on Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane to stabilize the top order. Cameron Green needs to find his form after struggling in the opening three matches of the season.
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Rishabh Pant will lead the side after their recent dominant win, where Mohammed Shami showcased exceptional form with the new ball. Nicholas Pooran remains a massive threat for KKR, given his incredible record against the franchise.
IPL 2026, Match 15: KKR Playing XI vs LSG
Openers: Ajinkya Rahane, Finn Allen
Kolkata Knight Riders will likely open with Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen to ensure an aggressive start. Allen has a strike rate of 229 across three games, hitting 11 fours and four sixes so far. Rahane scored 67 in the season opener but needs more consistency after failing in the next matches.
Middle-order batters and All-rounders: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine
Angkrish Raghuvanshi has scored consecutive half-centuries while handling wicketkeeping duties recently. Cameron Green and Rinku Singh provide firepower in the middle order to counter the LSG bowlers.
Sunil Narine can be used as a floater in the lineup. The left-handed batter is capable of changing the match with both bat and ball during the middle overs.
Bowlers: Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Blessing Muzarabani
Blessing Muzarabani picked up four wickets for 41 runs in his previous outing. Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakravarthy have high economy rates. The team needs early breakthroughs from Muzarabani to restrict the Lucknow Super Giants batting lineup.
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Blessing Muzarabani. 12th Player: Kartik Tyagi
IPL 2026, Match 15: LSG Playing XI vs KKR
Openers: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh
Lucknow Super Giants are expected to open with Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh to maximize the powerplay. Markram scored 45 in the last game. Marsh has scored 49 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 122.5.
Middle-order batters and All-rounders: Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary
Rishabh Pant, who opened in the first match, will bat at number three. He scored a match-winning unbeaten half-century against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Nicholas Pooran remains a key batter, having scored two half-centuries against KKR last season at a strike rate of 220.
Abdul Samad and Mukul Choudhary will provide lower-order support to finish the innings. The team can use Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Player if there is a collapse while batting first.
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Manimaran Siddharth
Mohammed Shami will lead the pace attack after his spell of 2/9 in the previous match. Prince Yadav has been consistent, picking up two wickets in each of his last two games. Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi, and Manimaran Siddharth will retain their places in the playing XI.
Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c) (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Ayush Mhatre, Manimaran Siddharth, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav. 12th Player: Ayush Badoni
KKR vs LSG: Full Impact Players List
Blessing Muzarabani was included as the Impact Player for KKR in their rain-curtailed match against Punjab Kings. If the team bats first, Kartik Tyagi or Muzarabani could be included in the Impact Players list. Rovman Powell is another aggressive overseas option if KKR need to strengthen their batting.
For LSG, Ayush Badoni remains the primary choice as an Impact Player to strengthen the batting. Anrich Nortje is another reliable option for extra bowling if the top order scores well early in the match.
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