Sunrisers Hyderabad host Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026 action at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, April 5, with both sides arriving at different points in their campaigns. SRH carry recent momentum after a dominant run at Eden Gardens, while LSG are searching for a quick response following a disappointing start.
When and where to watch SRH vs LSG
- Date: Sunday, April 5
- Start time: 3:30 PM IST
- Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
- TV coverage: Star Sports channels
- Live streaming: JioHotstar
Match context: SRH’s form vs LSG’s need to respond
SRH head into the contest with confidence after making a statement in their latest outing. They posted a commanding 226 and then defended it successfully, beating Kolkata Knight Riders by 65 runs—marking the first time this season that a side managed to protect a total.
That victory was anchored by a powerful batting effort featuring Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. SRH’s bowlers then completed the job by restricting KKR to 161, wrapping up the chase in under 16 overs.
How SRH built and defended the total vs KKR
- SRH scored 226, with major contributions from Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head.
- SRH dismissed KKR for 161 in under 16 overs.
- Jaydev Unadkat led the wickets tally with 3 wickets.
- Eshan Malinga and Nitish Kumar Reddy took 2 wickets each.
LSG, meanwhile, will look to bounce back after a tough outing against Delhi Capitals. Batting at home, they never fully found their rhythm and were dismissed for 141. Delhi chased the target comfortably, driven by an unbeaten 70 from Sameer Rizvi, handing LSG a six-wicket defeat.
With SRH riding momentum and LSG trying to recover from an early setback, the match promises an intriguing contest between two squads operating under very different levels of confidence.
Potential impact players: five names to watch
Several individual match-ups could steer the outcome at key moments, especially at the top of the order and during the middle-overs acceleration phase.
- Abhishek Sharma (SRH): Abhishek has been a regular contributor against LSG, scoring 160 runs in five meetings, including a top score of 75*. This season, he has already struck 55 runs in two games at a strike rate close to 190. Recent knocks include 48 vs KKR and 52 for India earlier this year. Against LSG previously, he produced 59 off 20 balls, underlining his ability to put pressure on the opposition early.
- Heinrich Klaasen (SRH): Klaasen remains central to SRH’s middle order. He has accumulated 120 runs in four matches versus LSG and has also added 83 runs in two IPL 2026 games, including a half-century. Scores of 52 and 31 in recent outings point to steady production, with his capacity to handle pressure and then accelerate a major asset.
- Jaydev Unadkat (SRH): Unadkat has stood out for SRH even if his historical returns versus LSG have not been overwhelming. In IPL 2026, he has taken four wickets in two matches, including a 3/21 in the most recent game. While he has only two wickets in three meetings against LSG, his current form suggests he could be pivotal in controlling the middle overs.
- Mitchell Marsh (LSG): Marsh offers balance as a proven all-round option. Against SRH, he has scored 236 runs in eight matches and also has a four-wicket haul to his name. His IPL 2026 began with 35, and his international form includes 64* and 54. He has also struck 65 vs SRH in a previous meeting, showing he can influence this matchup.
- Nicholas Pooran (LSG): Pooran has an outstanding record against SRH, amassing 362 runs in 11 matches at an average above 50. Although he made only 8 runs in his first game this season, his past displays make him a constant threat. His 45 off 26 balls in a past clash shows how quickly he can swing momentum once set.
Batting debate and team balance: where Rishabh Pant could fit
One of the key storyline threads ahead of this game is Rishabh Pant’s top-order role. Pant’s earlier decision to push himself up the order has been linked to the need to counter Axar Patel’s left-arm spin. With Harsh Dubey and Shivang (if selected) also offering left-arm bowling options, SRH could again consider a plan that allows Pant to move up to open—though the wicketkeeper-batter has described continuing in that role as a “50-50 call.”
LSG’s recent tactical shuffle vs Delhi Capitals
LSG’s earlier batting choices have also raised questions around Pant’s best position. Under the reshuffle that followed their start, Pant was promoted to open ahead of the established Marsh-Markram combination. He managed just seven runs before being run out, bringing the debate about his ideal slot back into focus.
- LSG promoted Rishabh Pant to open against Delhi Capitals.
- Pant scored 7 before a run-out.
- The move was made ahead of the Marsh–Markram opening pair.
A return to No. 3 could be considered, a position where Pant had thrived in 2025, including a century. Pooran has also succeeded in that role before, though he may be asked to anchor the middle overs in this particular setup.
Marsh offered a glimpse of what could be possible with a 35, but LSG again failed to convert starts into large scores—an issue they will want to correct quickly.
Squads, plus SRH and LSG’s bowling and batting strengths
SRH squad
Ishan Kishan (c), Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, R. Smaran, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kamindu Mendis, Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga, Zeeshan Ansari, Liam Livingstone, Shivam Mavi, Salil Arora, Shivang Kumar, Omkar Tarmale, Krains Fuletra, Praful Hinge, Amit Kumar, Sakib Hussain, Jack Edwards and Pat Cummins.
LSG squad
Rishabh Pant (c), Ayush Badoni, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Arshin Kulkarni, Mitchell Marsh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Maharaj Singh, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Arjun Sachin Tendulkar, Mayank Prabhu Yadav, Wanindu Hasaranga, Anrich Nortje, Josh Inglis, Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh, Naman Tiwari, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Mohsin Khan, Manimaran Siddharth, Mukul Choudhary.
SRH’s batting and bowling picture
SRH appear to have found rhythm after an opening loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Against KKR, their batting clicked as a group, with Head and Abhishek Sharma rediscovering form at the top. Ishan Kishan, operating as stand-in captain, has also shown promising signs, while Klaasen’s role in the middle order remains crucial—highlighted by his composed half-century in Kolkata. Their batting depth gives LSG a difficult challenge.
In bowling, Nitish Kumar Reddy impressed through his variations, and Harsh Dubey delivered control with spin. The pace duo of Jaydev Unadkat and Eshan Malinga shared five wickets between them, helping SRH bowl KKR out for 161 in 16 overs—another indicator of SRH’s growing balance.
LSG’s batting and bowling picture
LSG may have reached the playoffs in their first two seasons, but they have struggled in more recent years, finishing seventh twice. Their campaign has started in a similar way, despite having a strong roster. Under Justin Langer, they possess a capable batting line-up featuring Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, captain Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran.
Still, the collapse to 141 in under 19 overs against Delhi Capitals exposed major shortcomings in how they convert starts. Their tactical reshuffle—particularly Pant’s promotion to open—did not work as expected, and Marsh’s 35 once again highlighted their inability to turn momentum into big totals.
What LSG can take heart from is the bowling department. Mohammed Shami produced a vintage new-ball spell alongside Prince Yadav, and Delhi Capitals were reduced to 26/4 in the powerplay. However, LSG failed to keep the pressure on during the middle overs. The choice to leave out mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi—their leading wicket-taker last season—also drew attention. With the pitch described as flat at Uppal, the absence of a frontline wrist-spinner could become a talking point again.
SRH’s confidence heading into their first home game
SRH’s confidence is rooted in that emphatic performance at Eden Gardens, where they struck 226/8 to beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 65 runs. Returning to Uppal, where conditions are expected to favour strokeplay in an afternoon game, only adds to their advantage.
With momentum on their side and home conditions potentially working in their favour, SRH are likely to begin as favourites, leaving LSG with the challenge of finding their best form quickly in a tough away setting.
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of IPL 2026 match between Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad. LSG will need a significant improvement in their batting as they chase their first win of the season against an in-form SRH in a challenging away fixture on Sunday.
