LUCKNOW: Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant issued an apology to the franchise’s supporters after Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to field in Match 68 of IPL 2026 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday. With the playoffs already out of reach for Lucknow, the final league game of the campaign is being treated as a chance to finish on a positive note. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, still need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Captain’s call at the toss: “We would have bowled first too”
Speaking when the captains came together, Pant said Lucknow would have preferred to bowl first as well, adding that the nature of the pitch should suit batting regardless of whether a team is chasing or setting a target. He also suggested a high-scoring game could be on the cards and confirmed two changes to the playing XI.
- Pant said, “We would have bowled first as well,” while discussing the toss decision.
- He described the wicket as favourable for cricket in general and “one of the better batting wickets”.
- He predicted the possibility of a high-scoring contest.
- He confirmed two changes: Arjun and Arshin Kulkarni are included.
Apology for the campaign as Lucknow seek pride in final league match
While acknowledging the difficulties of the season, Pant also addressed the fans directly, apologising for Lucknow’s disappointing run in IPL 2026. He pointed to both team and personal learning from the campaign and promised that the side will give its best effort in the match.
- Pant said the season has been tough, but there has been “a lot of learning” for the team and for him personally.
- He apologised to supporters “they have come from all over UP”.
- He added that, despite the rough phase, Lucknow will put in “100%” today.
Season context: Lucknow eliminated early; Punjab Kings chase a lifeline
Lucknow’s IPL 2026 has been a struggle despite assembling a squad packed with high-profile names. In 13 matches, Pant’s team recorded just four wins and suffered nine defeats. They were also the first franchise to be knocked out of the playoff race this season.
The elimination has extended a recent pattern: it is the third straight year Lucknow have failed to reach the IPL playoffs, following seventh-place finishes in both IPL 2024 and IPL 2025.
Toss reaction from Shreyas Iyer and confirmed XI changes
After winning the toss, Iyer said Punjab Kings will bowl first. He highlighted two changes to the side, bringing in Marco and Vyshak, and expressed optimism about the challenge ahead. Iyer also noted that this is a situation Punjab Kings have not faced before in their season context, with the players eager to deliver their best.
- Iyer said, “We will bowl first.”
- He confirmed two changes: Marco and Vyshak come into the playing XI.
- He described the feeling as exciting and the contest as a “good match” for Punjab Kings.
- He added that the team have “never been in this situation before”.
- He said the players are waiting to do their best.
Playing XIs and impact players
Punjab Kings
- Prabhsimran Singh (w)
- Priyansh Arya
- Cooper Connolly
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Suryansh Shedge
- Shashank Singh
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Marco Jansen
- Vijaykumar Vyshak
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Impact Players: Harpreet Brar
- Impact Players: Marcus Stoinis
- Impact Players: Xavier Bartlett
- Impact Players: Vishnu Vinod
- Impact Players: Praveen Dubey
Lucknow Super Giants
- Josh Inglis
- Arshin Kulkarni
- Nicholas Pooran
- Ayush Badoni
- Rishabh Pant (w/c)
- Abdul Samad
- Mukul Choudhary
- Arjun Tendulkar
- Mohammed Shami
- Prince Yadav
- Mohsin Khan
- Impact Players: Shahbaz Ahmed
- Impact Players: Digvesh Singh Rathi
- Impact Players: Manimaran Siddharth
- Impact Players: Himmat Singh
- Impact Players: Akash Maharaj Singh
Stay tuned for live match updates, IPL news, and schedule coverage, along with the points table and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
