Rishabh Pant’s LSG had a lot of issues to deal with last year, where they finished 7th in the points table, winning only 6 games. The availability of fit pacers was a major issue, that kept them out of the hunt, and Pant’s bad batting form didn’t help either. Come the IPL 2026, they start their campaign against DC on April 1, and it is time to make amends.
Kudos to the management, as they backed their injured lot and gave them another chance. Now it is up to them to deliver. Mayank Yadav — the 150 kmph bowler is fit, and soo is Mohsin Khan. But then one of their key players Wanindu Hasaranga might be out of the entire season, while Josh Inglis could be playing only a couple of matches.
So, let us take a look at the Best LSG XI vs DC.
Opening pair predictable, Rishabh Pant at no. 3
Just a few days back, a report had suggested that skipper Rishabh Pant is all set to bat at no. 3. That could be a bold decision, considering he was not in the greatest of form last season. But then, his numbers at that position are quite good. In 15 innings at no.3, he has scored 558 runs, at an average of 46.5, and a strike-rate of 173.
Meanwhile, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh remain the openers for the side, without any doubt.
Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni follow
Pooran was at his blistering best once again last year, where he scored 524 runs in 14 innings. The strike-rate was 196. So, he comes in at 4, to make the best use of the middle overs. Post that, Delhi boy Ayush Badoni follows. Last year too, he had struck two fifties, yet somehow it seems, that he would be doing a lot better.
In 56 matches, he has scored over 900 runs at an average of 26. This year could belong to him.
Abdul Samad vs Arshin Kulkarni
The no. 6 position is where the debate starts in the team. And that is between Samad and Arshin, since both bring very different skillsets. Samad is looked at as, only a finisher in the side, while Kulkarni can bat anywhere in the order, and can come up with some pace-overs.
Somehow the Maharashtra boy suits better. In 21 matches, he has gone on to score 549 runs at an average of 28, and has 12 wickets to his name.
Choice between Shahbaz Ahmed & M Siddharth
The next choice would be between two very two capable spinners – Siddharth and Shahbaz. The former’s economy in T20s lies only at 6.41, while Shahbaz is at 7.87. Now the consideration here would be the batting prowess with the latter. So, the team is likely to go ahead with the all-rounder.
The AR has scored 1355 runs in 114 matches, where his average has been 25.56. He could be the no. 1 choice then.
Best LSG predicted playing XI vs DC
- Aiden Markram
- Mitchell Marsh
- Rishabh Pant
- Nicholas Pooran
- Ayush Badoni
- Arshin Kulkarni
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Mohammed Shami
- Mayank Yadav
- Digvesh Rathi
- Prince Yadav
- Impact Sub – Anrich Nortje/Avesh Khan
LSG full squad IPL 2026
Rishabh Pant (c), Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran (VC), Josh Inglis, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Mukul Choudhury, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mitchell Marsh, Arshin Kulkarni, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmad, Ayush Badoni, Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Arjun Tendulkar, Naman Tiwary, Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Akash Singh.
