Punjab Kings (PBKS) won’t have to worry about making plans for an in-form Mitchell Marsh for their must-win game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 23. Marsh has left the LSG camp for the limited-over series on Pakistan soil. Marsh will be leading Australia in the three-ODI series in the absence of Pat Cummins who has been rested for the subcontinent tour as part of workload management.
The Australian side minus the players active in the IPL 2026 have already in Pakistan to prepare for the ODI series. The first ODI will be played on May 30, the eve of the IPL 2026 final.
No Marsh but Inglis available vs former franchise
While Marsh has left the LSG camp, Josh Inglis will continue to open the innings for the Rishabh Pant-led side. Marsh’s absence is a big loss for LSG whose batting has been lacklustre this season. The Australia T20I captain was their top run-scorer, amassing 563 runs from 13 innings at an average of 43.30 and strike rate of 163.18. He has scored a century and three fifties this season and also finds himself sixth in the orange cap race.
Who will open for LSG?
LSG have a few options in their squad to open alongside Inglis. Aiden Markram has already left the LSG camp due to personal reasons. Ayush Badoni is a candidate to open the innings. Earlier in the season, skipper Pant has opened the innings as well. LSG may look to give another game Arshin Kulkarni who scored 17 runs from 24 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) earlier this month.
LSG to play for pride
LSG are at the bottom of the points table with nine losses from 13 games. Even a win may not guarantee them the ninth spot on the table as Mumbai Indians (MI) will play Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 24.
Must-win game for PBKS
PBKS need a win to stay alive in the playoffs race. If they beat LSG, they have a chance to book the playoffs berth despite seven defeats in a row. However, they will need RR to beat MI and then require Delhi Capitals (DC) to not let Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) their net run rate (NRR).