Arjun Tendulkar could not make his Lucknow Super Giants debut after not being picked for his team’s IPL 2026 opener against the Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The junior Tendulkar was traded from the Mumbai Indians to the LSG side for Rs 30 lakh before the IPL 2026.ย
Arjun has began a new chapter in his IPL career now. From being with MI from 2021, he has now made his move to LSG with hopes of taking his career to stronger heights. However, he missed out on LSG’s tournament opener against the Capitals in Lucknow and was not even named in the Impact subs.
Why is Arjun not playing for LSG against DC?
The reason behind Arjun’s absence from the team is likely due to the team combinations as LSG captain Rishabh Pant did not reveal anything on him. LSG have strong fast bowling options in Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje, Mohsin Khan and Prince Yadav. This might have been the most likeliest reason for Arjun’s absence. Even tearaway fast-bowler Mayank Yadav could not find a place in the Playing XI and neither in the Impact subs.ย
DC win toss, opt to bowl first
Delhi Capitals have opted to bowl first against the Super Giants after captain Axar Patel won the toss. “We will bowl first. First match, fresh wicket, it’s a red solid wicket and might help in the first 6 overs. Data says a lot of matches are won by the team batting first, but we thought it’s the first game and we will bowl. We started well last time, but we slipped in the middle, we’re not thinking too far ahead. Nissanka, Miller, Stubbs and Lungi Ngidi, our four overseas players,” Axar said at the toss.
LSG skipper Rishabh Pant stated that toss does not matter much on this wicket. “It doesn’t matter on a wicket like this, it won’t change a lot as I don’t think dew will come. It’s completely new – we’ve changed our colour and logo. No negative thoughts, we’re feeling good and raring to go. Last season there were injury concerns, but as a captain you can’t dwell on them too much. Everyone is fit this time around. Markram, Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Anrich Nortje are our four overseas players,” Pant said.
Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Mohsin Khan, Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje, Prince Yadav
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): KL Rahul(w), Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel(c), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar
Lucknow Super Giantsย Impact subs: Digvesh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akshat Raghuvanshi
Delhi Capitals Impact subs: Ashutosh Sharma, Auqib Nabi, Sameer Rizvi, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair