IPL 2026: Why is Digvesh Rathi not playing PBKS vs LSG Match 29?

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are batting first in Match No. 29 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 while hosting Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. The absence of Digvesh Singh Rathi, who is one of the premier spinners for LSG, has got the fans wondering regarding the cricketer not taking part in the match.

PBKS vs LSG: Toss Update

Rishabh Pant had the coin toss going in his favour ahead of the match, and on a batting-friendly track, he believes that it is important for his men to know their batting plans better and hence opted to chase the target. Pant also mentioned that they are okay to chase a target around 220-230 instead of defending a score over 200. Shreyas Iyer was happy that a challenge to set a target is what they wanted eventually.

PBKS vs LSG: Rathi out as LSG shuffle team combo; confident PBKS unchanged

The reason behind Digvesh’s unavailability for today’s game was not disclosed, particularly by Pant, but the LSG skipper simply mentioned that he has been replaced by left-arm spinner Manimaran Siddharth. Punjab, the hosts, on the other hand, are quite confident of their winning combination, and did not make any changes to their lineup. 

PBKS vs LSG: What did the captains say?

Rishabh Pant, LSG captain,

We are going to bowl first. Coming here, we want them to set a total for us. They’ve been one of the best team in the tournament, but at the same time, it gives us that freedom that we can play more freely with them. Generally, I feel, playing for 220 runs is better than playing for 200 sometimes. (Manimaran) Siddharth comes in and (Digvesh) Rathi misses out. (And that elbow is fine?) Much better (smiles).

Shreyas Iyer, PBKS captain, 

I feel it’s a great challenge for us since we haven’t batted first so far. I had mentioned that when you are getting better it’s about us vs us. A comprehensive win is what need to fulfil. Same team.

PBKS vs LSG: Playing XIs

Lucknow Super Giants

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth, Mohsin Khan

Impact Substitutes: Abdul Samad, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Matthew Breetzke, Mayank Yadav, Himmat Singh

Punjab Kings

Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (Capt), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Impact Substitutes: Vyshak Vijaykumar, Harpreet Brar, Suyansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod