Lucknow Super Giants will be without Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. While the fixture is a dead rubber for LSG, it remains a must-win encounter for PBKS, who are desperately trying to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Marsh, one of the standout performers of the season, will miss the game as he is set to join the Australian squad in Pakistan ahead of their upcoming ODI series. The right-handed batter has been one of the few positives in an otherwise disappointing campaign for LSG, who failed to qualify for the playoffs.
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The 34-year-old is among only two batters to score multiple centuries in IPL 2026. He currently leads the franchise’s run-scoring charts with 563 runs in 13 innings, including one hundred and three half-centuries. His dominance with the bat becomes even more evident when compared to LSG skipper Rishabh Pant, who is the team’s second-highest run-getter with 286 runs from 12 innings, almost half of Marsh’s tally.
LSG have endured a forgettable season overall, managing just four wins from 13 matches while suffering nine defeats. As a result, they find themselves rooted to the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table heading into their final league game. Marsh is now expected to shift his focus to international cricket, where he will lead Australia in a three-match ODI series against Pakistan starting on May 30 in Rawalpindi.
For Punjab Kings, the equation remains straightforward but difficult. They must beat LSG to stay alive in the playoff race. However, even a victory may not guarantee qualification, with Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals all still in contention for the remaining playoff spot.
PBKS will also need Mumbai Indians to defeat Rajasthan Royals, while Delhi Capitals must get the better of Kolkata Knight Riders. If RR secure a win, they will move to 16 points and confirm qualification. However, if RR lose and KKR defeat DC, the final playoff berth could ultimately be decided on net run-rate.
