Punjab Kings walked into their final league match of IPL 2026 with their season on the line, and Shreyas Iyer immediately chose to chase after winning the toss at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

For Lucknow Super Giants, already eliminated and playing only for pride, the evening brought a very different mood: a weakened XI, a debut for Arjun Tendulkar, and a public apology from captain Rishabh Pant to the home fans. But the two biggest absences from the match sheet were Mitchell Marsh for LSG and Lockie Ferguson for PBKS, both missing for very different reasons in a game that could decide Punjab's playoff fate.

LSG vs PBKS: Mitchell Marsh has left the tournament

Mitchell Marsh is not playing for Lucknow Super Giants because he has left the IPL 2026 tournament and is unavailable for their final league match.

That is a huge blow for LSG, even though they are already out of the playoff race. Marsh has been their best batter by a distance this season, scoring 563 runs from 13 matches. In a campaign where Lucknow repeatedly failed to build momentum, Marsh was one of the few players who consistently gave them impact at the top.

Rishabh Pant confirmed two changes at the toss, with Arjun Tendulkar making his debut and Arshin Kulkarni coming into the side. Kulkarni has effectively replaced Marsh in the top-order structure.

Pant said, 'We would have bowled first as well. This wicket is good for cricket regardless of bowling or batting. This is one of the better batting wickets, it could be a high-scoring match.'

He also admitted the season had been difficult for LSG. 'It’s been a tough season, but at the same time, there has been a lot of learning, both for the team and personally. I’d say sorry to the fans, they have come from all over UP. It’s been tough going for us, but we’ll give our 100% today.'

LSG are playing with only two overseas players in their XI, Josh Inglis and Nicholas Pooran, with several overseas players having already gone home.

LSG vs PBKS: Lockie Ferguson dropped as PBKS bring back Jansen and Vyshak

Lockie Ferguson is not playing for Punjab Kings because he has been left out as part of PBKS’ two tactical changes for this do-or-die match.

Shreyas Iyer confirmed at the toss that Marco Jansen and Vijaykumar Vyshak have come into the XI, replacing Ferguson and Harpreet Brar. The change gives Punjab more new-ball and middle-overs flexibility, while Jansen also strengthens the batting depth at No. 8.

Ferguson's omission appears tactical rather than injury-related. Punjab have been under massive pressure after their recent losing streak, and their bowling has repeatedly come under scrutiny in key moments. In a must-win match, the management have chosen Jansen’s left-arm angle and Vyshak’s Indian pace option over Ferguson’s raw speed.

Jansen's return also helps PBKS balance their overseas slots. Cooper Connolly, Azmatullah Omarzai and Marco Jansen are in the XI, while Marcus Stoinis is likely to be used later as the Impact Player if Punjab need batting power in the chase.

Shreyas said, 'We’re going to bowl first. We’ve got two changes, Marco and Vyshak come in. It is suddenly exciting. It’s like a do-or-die game for us. I would say rather do. The boys are super excited.'

Also READ: Why Rajasthan Royals are favourites ahead of Punjab Kings and KKR in IPL 2026 playoff race?

IPL 2026: Playing XIs for LSG vs PBKS

Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI: Josh Inglis, Arshin Kulkarni, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Arjun Tendulkar, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan.

LSG Impact Subs: Shahbaz Ahmed, Digvesh Rathi, M Siddarth, Himmat Singh, Akash Singh.

Punjab Kings Playing XI: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

PBKS Impact Subs: Harpreet Brar, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, Pravin Dubey.