🏏 IPL 2026 | Match 5 | Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals
Dream11 Team Today — Best Fantasy Tips
🟢
Lucknow Super Giants
Home Side • Rishabh Pant's LSG
VS
IPL 2026 — Match 5
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
April 1, 2026 | 7:30 PM IST
🔴 LIVE: Star Sports / JioHotstar
April 1, 2026 | 7:30 PM IST
🔴 LIVE: Star Sports / JioHotstar
🔵
Delhi Capitals
Away Side • Axar Patel's DC
🔴 TOSS UPDATE: [Team] won the toss and elected to [bat/field].
✅ Playing XI confirmed — teams updated below!
✅ Playing XI confirmed — teams updated below!
📋 Quick Navigation
🔍 Match Preview & Head-to-Head
Match 5 of IPL 2026 is one of the most fascinating storylines of the season — LSG vs DC at Ekana, Lucknow, where Rishabh Pant (ex-DC captain) now leads LSG against his former team, while KL Rahul (ex-LSG captain) plays for DC against his old employers. This "captain swap" fixture is generating massive buzz. LSG, under Justin Langer's coaching, have built a well-balanced squad with explosive batters Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran and powerful bowlers Mohammed Shami, Mayank Yadav and Anrich Nortje.
DC, led by Axar Patel, have significantly strengthened their batting with new signings KL Rahul, Ben Duckett and David Miller joining Tristan Stubbs in a formidable lineup. Their bowling is anchored by world-class duo Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav. At Ekana, LSG have a strong home record and the crowd support will be massive for Rishabh Pant's return.
📊 Head-to-Head Record (All-Time)
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches Played | 8 |
| LSG Wins | 5 |
| DC Wins | 3 |
| At Ekana (LSG home) | LSG wins ~70% of home matches |
| Toss Advantage at Ekana | Chasing team wins ~55% (dew factor) |
| Last IPL Meeting Winner | LSG (IPL 2025) |
LSG H2H Wins: 5
DC H2H Wins: 3
LSG Home Win%: ~70%
Avg 1st Innings: 170–185
💡 Fantasy Insight: LSG have strong home advantage at Ekana. Rishabh Pant playing against ex-team DC will be ultra-motivated — he is the standout captain pick. Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram are LSG's most consistent batting threats. KL Rahul vs his former crowd will also be a high-stakes battle — pick him as a differential.
🏟️ BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch Report & Weather
Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is a well-balanced pitch that offers something for both batters and bowlers. It has decent pace and bounce for pacers early on, while spinners are effective in the middle overs. Typical first innings scores are 170–185, with chasing teams having a slight advantage due to evening dew.
🏏 For Batsmen
True bounce with a decent pace. Openers and top-order batters can play their natural game. Boundaries are decent-sized so big-hitters need to time it well. Score of 170–185 is par.
🎳 For Bowlers
Pacers get good movement early — Shami and Starc are dangerous here. Spinners effective in middle overs — Kuldeep Yadav and Hasaranga are key picks. Death bowlers do well.
🌙 Dew Factor
Ekana has moderate dew in evening April matches. Team batting second has slight advantage. Spinners can lose effectiveness in 2nd innings. Pacers remain potent throughout.
🌤️ Weather (April 1)
Lucknow in early April: Warm, 28–33°C. Clear skies expected. No rain. Moderate humidity. Dew will set in from overs 12–14 of 2nd innings onwards.
🎯 Fantasy Tip: Rishabh Pant is the must-pick — ex-DC captain at home, ultra-motivated. Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram are safe batting picks. Mohammed Shami and Mitchell Starc are the standout pace bowling picks. Kuldeep Yadav is excellent in middle overs at Ekana — must pick from DC.
📋 Predicted Playing XI
⚠️ Predicted XI based on squad — will be updated with confirmed XI immediately after toss at 7:00 PM IST.
🟢 Lucknow Super Giants — Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role | Bat Position | Key Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Marsh | ALL | Opener | Explosive Australian opener — 400+ IPL 2025 runs, bat + pace combo |
| 2 | Aiden Markram | BAT | Opener | South African anchor — consistent at top, great record at Ekana |
| 3 | Rishabh Pant (C) | WK | No. 3 | Ex-DC captain — ultra-motivated vs old team, explosive batter |
| 4 | Nicholas Pooran | BAT | No. 4 | West Indian power-hitter — 200+ SR in death overs, dangerous finisher |
| 5 | Abdul Samad | BAT | No. 5 | Aggressive finisher — useful at flat Ekana pitch in death overs |
| 6 | Ayush Badoni | ALL | No. 6 | Useful lower-order bat + part-time spin — good utility player |
| 7 | Shahbaz Ahmed | ALL | No. 7 | Left-arm spin + useful bat — good middle-over wicket-taker |
| 8 | Wanindu Hasaranga | ALL | No. 8 | Sri Lankan leg-spin all-rounder — wickets in middle overs + bat |
| 9 | Mohammed Shami | BOWL | No. 9 | India's swing master — powerplay wickets, great at Ekana |
| 10 | Mayank Yadav | BOWL | No. 10 | 155 kmph rocket pace — most dangerous bowler at any venue when fit |
| 11 | Anrich Nortje | BOWL | No. 11 | South African express pacer — extra pace and bounce at Ekana |
🔵 Delhi Capitals — Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role | Bat Position | Key Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KL Rahul | BAT | Opener | Ex-LSG captain — high motivation vs old team, elegant top-order batter |
| 2 | Ben Duckett | BAT | Opener | New DC signing — England left-hander, aggressive and stylish opener |
| 3 | Axar Patel (C) | ALL | No. 3 | DC captain — left-arm spin + aggressive batting, great at Ekana |
| 4 | Tristan Stubbs | BAT | No. 4 | South African power-hitter — destructive in middle and death overs |
| 5 | David Miller | BAT | No. 5 | New DC signing — "Killer Miller", world-class death batter, ex-GT |
| 6 | Abhishek Porel | WK | No. 6 | Young WK-batter — aggressive lower-order contributor |
| 7 | Ashutosh Sharma | ALL | No. 7 | Young all-rounder — useful bat + medium pace, breakout player |
| 8 | Kuldeep Yadav | BOWL | No. 8 | India's best spinner — 15+ wickets every IPL season, must pick |
| 9 | Mitchell Starc | BOWL | No. 9 | World-class Australian left-arm pacer — wickets in powerplay and death |
| 10 | Mohit Sharma | BOWL | No. 10 | Death bowling specialist — excellent economy, good at Ekana |
| 11 | Vipraj Nigam | BOWL | No. 11 | Young leg-spinner — low ownership differential, can surprise |
⭐ Top Fantasy Picks — Role-wise
🥊 Top Batsmen Picks
| Player | Team | Why Pick? | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant | 🟢 LSG | Ex-DC at home — ultra-motivated, explosive batter at No. 3. Must pick. | 🟢 Low |
| Mitchell Marsh | 🟢 LSG | LSG's explosive opener — 400+ IPL 2025 runs, bat + pace = double value | 🟢 Low |
| KL Rahul | 🔵 DC | Ex-LSG opener at Ekana — high motivation, elegant stroke-maker | 🟢 Low |
| Aiden Markram | 🟢 LSG | LSG's consistent opener — reliable fantasy scorer at Ekana home ground | 🟡 Medium |
| David Miller | 🔵 DC | Killer Miller — world-class death batter, new DC signing with high ceiling | 🟡 Medium |
🎳 Top Bowler Picks
| Player | Team | Why Pick? | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Shami | 🟢 LSG | India's swing master at home — powerplay wickets, MUST PICK at Ekana. | 🟢 Low |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 🔵 DC | India's best spinner — 15+ wickets every IPL, middle-over wicket machine | 🟢 Low |
| Mitchell Starc | 🔵 DC | World-class left-arm pacer — powerplay swing, wickets at any venue | 🟢 Low |
| Mayank Yadav | 🟢 LSG | 155 kmph express pace — when fit he is unplayable. High-ceiling pick. | 🟡 Medium |
🏅 Top All-rounder Picks
| Player | Team | Why Pick? | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axar Patel | 🔵 DC | DC captain — left-arm spin + aggressive bat at No. 3, excellent all-round fantasy value | 🟢 Low |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 🟢 LSG | Sri Lankan leg-spin + bat — wickets in middle overs + useful lower-order runs | 🟡 Medium |
| Mitchell Marsh | 🟢 LSG | Bat + pace — registered as all-rounder in Dream11, double scoring opportunity | 🟢 Low |
🎖️ Best Captain & Vice Captain Choices
🏆 Captain Options (2× Points)
| Player | Team | Reason | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Rishabh Pant | 🟢 LSG | Ex-DC captain at home — ultra-motivated, explosive batter. Highest floor in this match. | Small League (H2H) |
| ⭐ Mitchell Marsh | 🟢 LSG | Opener + pace bowling = massive ceiling if he contributes in both departments. | Both |
| KL Rahul | 🔵 DC | Ex-LSG opener — high motivation vs old team, elegant stroke-maker, good GL option. | Grand League |
| Axar Patel | 🔵 DC | DC captain — bat + spin = double value, low ownership differential captain pick. | Grand League |
🥈 Vice Captain Options (1.5× Points)
| Player | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav | 🔵 DC | Safe VC — wicket-taking spinner in middle overs, very reliable fantasy points |
| Mohammed Shami | 🟢 LSG | Home swing pacer — powerplay wickets, excellent VC alongside Pant captain |
| Mitchell Starc | 🔵 DC | Differential VC — world-class pacer, if he takes 3+ wickets = GL winner |
🎯 Captain Strategy:
Small League (H2H): Rishabh Pant (C) + Kuldeep Yadav (VC) — Pant at home vs ex-team is the safest combo.
Grand League: KL Rahul (C) + Axar Patel (VC) — Both ex-captains at their former venues, very low ownership with massive ceiling.
Wildcard GL: Mayank Yadav (C) — 155 kmph pace at home. If fit and fires, he wins you the GL outright!
Small League (H2H): Rishabh Pant (C) + Kuldeep Yadav (VC) — Pant at home vs ex-team is the safest combo.
Grand League: KL Rahul (C) + Axar Patel (VC) — Both ex-captains at their former venues, very low ownership with massive ceiling.
Wildcard GL: Mayank Yadav (C) — 155 kmph pace at home. If fit and fires, he wins you the GL outright!
🏆 Suggested Dream11 Teams
⚠️ These teams are based on predicted XI. Update after toss with confirmed playing XI before locking.
✅ Team 1 — Small League / H2H Safe Team
Split: 7 LSG + 4 DC | Focus: Pant captain, LSG home advantage
Rishabh PantWK | LSGC
Mitchell MarshALL | LSGVC
Aiden MarkramBAT | LSG
KL RahulBAT | DC
Nicholas PooranBAT | LSG
Axar PatelALL | DC
Wanindu HasarangaALL | LSG
Shahbaz AhmedALL | LSG
Mohammed ShamiBOWL | LSG
Kuldeep YadavBOWL | DC
Mitchell StarcBOWL | DC
✅ Team 2 — Grand League Differential Team
Split: 4 LSG + 7 DC | Focus: KL Rahul captain, DC-heavy differential
Abhishek PorelWK | DC
KL RahulBAT | DCC
Ben DuckettBAT | DC
Tristan StubbsBAT | DC
David MillerBAT | DC
Mitchell MarshALL | LSGVC
Axar PatelALL | DC
Rishabh PantWK | LSG
Kuldeep YadavBOWL | DC
Mitchell StarcBOWL | DC
Mohammed ShamiBOWL | LSG
🚫 Players to Avoid in Dream11
| Player | Team | Reason to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Abdul Samad | 🟢 LSG | Bats at No. 5–6 — may not get enough balls with Pant, Pooran batting ahead. |
| Anrich Nortje | 🟢 LSG | New to LSG — less familiar with conditions, low upside in first match of season. |
| Vipraj Nigam | 🔵 DC | Young leg-spinner — unproven at IPL level, too risky for small leagues. |
| Ashutosh Sharma | 🔵 DC | Bats at No. 7 — limited balls available, inconsistent fantasy scorer. |
| Nicholas Pooran | 🟢 LSG | Bats at No. 4 — can be brilliant but inconsistent. GL punt only, avoid in SL. |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is the best captain for LSG vs DC Dream11 today?
A: Rishabh Pant is the safest captain for small leagues — ex-DC playing at home, ultra-motivated. For Grand Leagues, KL Rahul playing against ex-team LSG at Ekana is a brilliant low-ownership differential captain pick.
Q: How many players to pick from LSG and DC in Dream11?
A: For small leagues go 7 LSG + 4 DC — LSG have strong home advantage at Ekana. For Grand Leagues try 4 LSG + 7 DC for a differential edge. Always adjust after toss result.
Q: Should I pick Rishabh Pant in Dream11 for this match?
A: Absolutely YES — Pant is playing against his former team DC at home in Lucknow. He will be extremely motivated. He is the #1 must-pick in this match — best captain for small leagues and a safe pick in any team.
Q: Is Ekana good for batting or bowling in Dream11?
A: Ekana is a balanced pitch — good for both pacers early and spinners in middle overs. Pick top-order batters alongside Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Starc as bowling picks. Avoid relying only on death bowlers.
Q: Where can I watch LSG vs DC IPL 2026 live?
A: Live on Star Sports Network (TV) and streaming on JioHotstar (App/Web). Match starts at 7:30 PM IST on April 1, 2026. Toss at 7:00 PM IST.
Q: Will this post be updated after the toss?
A: YES! We update the confirmed playing XI, toss result, and revised captain/VC picks immediately after the toss at 7:00 PM IST. Bookmark and refresh after toss!
🔔 Stay Updated — We Update After Toss!
Bookmark this page — confirmed XI and revised picks added right after toss. Check our 🌐 IPL 2026 Hub for all match tips and schedule!
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Playing XI predictions are based on available squad information and may change after toss. Fantasy cricket involves financial risk — please play responsibly. We are not affiliated with Dream11 or BCCI.