Will Mayank Yadav Play In PBKS vs LSG, IPL 2026?

Both the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Delhi Capitals (DC) start the IPL 2026 with the aim of making up for the disappointing performance last time, which meant they missed the playoffs. Both teams have undergone significant changes to their squads.

But both the LSG and the DC will start the IPL 2026 with some players missing. Wanindu Hasaranga is yet to pass the fitness test for the LSG, while Mitchell Starc is set to miss the early matches for the DC.

Will Mayank Yadav Play In DC vs LSG? Latest Fitness Update

After struggling with injuries in IPL 2024 and not playing at all in 2025, Mayank Yadav is fit and ready to play according to LSG Head Coach Justin Langer. Mayank has been known for consistently bowling over 150km/h and should help give LSG some firepower this season as well.

LSG’s Selection Strategy

Due to Hasaranga being unavailable, it is assumed that LSG will be adding Anrich Nortje to their pace attack given that the red soil pitches in Lucknow tend to favor pacers.

However, LSG will proceed with caution when determining how many of their overseas batters they want to rely on this season.

Mitchell Marsh

Aiden Markram

Nicholas Pooran

Despite their dominance last season, the Indian batting order had difficulties scoring runs consistently. In terms of Rishabh Pant’s batting position there now is much debate. He scored 118 runs off 115 balls last year when batting at three.

Pooran has been regular at No.3 (for LSG) throughout all tournaments, so it appears LSG are in an interesting tactical dilemma when determining what their batting order looks like.

DC’s Top Order Plans

The DC opening combination is being experimented with.

KL Rahul is likely to open

He can open with

Nitish Rana is likely to bat at No. 3

Rana is in good form going into IPL 2026 after a good domestic season.

Probable Playing XIs in DC vs LSG

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

Mitchell Marsh

Aiden Markram

Nicholas Pooran

Rishabh Pant (c & wk)

Ayush Badoni

Abdul Samad

Akshat Raghuwanshi / Himmat Singh

Shahbaz Ahmed

Mohammed Shami

Mayank Yadav

Digvesh Rathi

Anrich Nortje

Delhi Capitals (DC)

KL Rahul (wk)

Pathum Nissanka

Nitish Rana

Tristan Stubbs

Axar Patel (c)

David Miller

Ashutosh Sharma

Vipraj Nigam

Auqib Nabi

Dushmantha Chameera

Kuldeep Yadav

T Natarajan

Players in Focus

Mayank Yadav – Comeback Season?

All eyes are on Mayank Yadav as he returns from injury. He has played only a handful of matches in the last two years, but IPL 2026 could be the defining point for him.

Nitish Rana – Redemption Opportunity

Nitish Rana is given another chance with DC. He had an inconsistent season in the last IPL, but his domestic performances make him an integral part of the team at No. 3.