The 2026 Indian Premier League season has already started with exciting matches across different venues. Eight of the ten teams have begun their campaigns, with some teams winning their opening matches while others are still searching for momentum.
In the next big game, Lucknow Super Giants will face Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Both teams missed the playoffs last season, so they will be eager to start strong this year. While the squads feature several big international stars, there are also some lesser-known players who could make a surprise impact in this match.
Here are three players who could become unexpected match-winners in the LSG vs DC clash.
Himmat Singh
Himmat Singh is a domestic cricketer from Delhi who usually opens the batting. He can also bowl occasional right-arm off spin.
He made his IPL debut in 2025 for Lucknow Super Giants. During that season, he mostly played as a replacement player and had limited opportunities. Despite that, the franchise retained him for IPL 2026, showing they believe in his potential.
So far, he has played only three IPL matches and has not scored many runs yet. However, his domestic first-class record shows he has the ability to build strong innings and handle pressure situations.
If he gets a chance in this match, Himmat Singh could surprise many with a valuable contribution.
Mukul Choudhary
Mukul Choudhary is a young wicket-keeper batter from Rajasthan. At just 21 years old, he has already gained attention for his aggressive batting style.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year, he performed well with the bat. He scored 210 runs in seven matches and maintained an impressive strike rate of 165. During the tournament, he also registered two half-centuries.
His power hitting and fearless batting make him a player to watch in IPL 2026. If given an opportunity, he could play a quick and impactful innings.
Pathum Nissanka
Sri Lankan batter Pathum Nissanka is known for his calm and steady approach at the top of the order.
During the 2025–26 T20 season, he showed strong consistency. He also had a solid campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026, scoring more than 211 runs with an average above 35.
Nissanka relies on good timing, smart shot placement, and quick strike rotation. These qualities make him effective on spin-friendly pitches like the one in Lucknow.
For Delhi Capitals, his steady batting could be crucial in stabilizing the innings if early wickets fall.
Also See : Arjun Tendulkar Talks About Life Beyond Cricket Ahead of LSG vs DC IPL 2026 Match
Key Numbers of These Players
| Player | Key Stats |
|---|---|
| Himmat Singh | 3 IPL matches played |
| Mukul Choudhary | 210 runs in 7 SMAT matches, strike rate 165, two fifties |
| Pathum Nissanka | 211+ runs in T20 World Cup 2026, average above 35 |
These numbers show that while some of these players may not be IPL stars yet, they have the potential to change the game.
LSG Squad for IPL 2026
| Player |
|---|
| Rishabh Pant (Captain) |
| Aiden Markram |
| Himmat Singh |
| Matthew Breetzke |
| Mukul Choudhary |
| Akshat Raghuwanshi |
| Josh Inglis |
| Nicholas Pooran |
| Mitchell Marsh |
| Abdul Samad |
| Shahbaz Ahamad |
| Arshin Kulkarni |
| Wanindu Hasaranga |
| Mohammad Shami |
| Avesh Khan |
| M. Siddharth |
| Digvesh Singh Rathi |
| Akash Singh |
| Prince Yadav |
| Arjun Tendulkar |
| Anrich Nortje |
| Naman Tiwari |
| Mayank Yadav |
| Mohsin Khan |
DC Squad for IPL 2026
| Player |
|---|
| KL Rahul |
| Karun Nair |
| David Miller |
| Ben Duckett |
| Pathum Nissanka |
| Sahil Parakh |
| Prithvi Shaw |
| Abishek Porel |
| Tristan Stubbs |
| Axar Patel (Captain) |
| Sameer Rizvi |
| Ashutosh Sharma |
| Vipraj Nigam |
| Ajay Mandal |
| Tripurana Vijay |
| Madhav Tiwari |
| Nitish Rana |
| Mitchell Starc |
| T Natarajan |
| Mukesh Kumar |
| Dushmantha Chameera |
| Auqib Nabi |
| Lungi Ngidi |
| Kyle Jamieson |
| Kuldeep Yadav |
The LSG vs DC match could feature several well-known players, but IPL history shows that lesser-known cricketers often become match-winners.
Players like Himmat Singh, Mukul Choudhary, and Pathum Nissanka have the skills to make a big difference if they get their chance.
Their performances could play a key role in deciding the outcome of this early IPL 2026 clash.
