Matheesha Pathirana was recovering from a left calf strain sustained during the T20 World Cup and is slowly integrating into the KKR squad. | Photo Credit: PTI

Lucknow Super Giants is still trying to find its best combination but feels it is one match away from getting its IPL 2026 campaign going, spin bowling coach Carl Crowe said here on Saturday.

Super Giants, currently ninth in the standings, have changed their batting line-up on multiple occasions in seven games so far. Captain Rishabh Pant opened in their first game with Mitchell Marsh before Aiden Markram was given that role. Ayush Badoni has opened with Marsh in the last couple of games.

“I think in terms of one of those changes, it was very much a match-up. In the modern game, you try and recognise what the options are going to be and plan accordingly,” Crowe explained on the eve of LSG’s fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium.

“When you’re not playing quite so well, you’re trying to find that perfect match-up, but at the same time stability is vitally important,” he added. “It’s about still trying to find the best combination for us, and when you do find that combination, you try to stick with it for as long as possible.”

Crowe said the LSG batters are aware of their shortcomings in the first half of the league stage and are working hard to overcome them. “We are one match away from smashing it and getting to where we need to be,” the coach said.

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The contest will be played on a black-soil pitch – a surface that will be used for the first time this season. However, Crowe said it doesn’t matter which surface the game is played on.

“So, it’s black soil tomorrow, I believe. From a foreign perspective – and I know this is probably more of a coach’s view – sometimes we can make a bit too much of the conditions before the game, whether it’s red soil, black soil or mixed.

“If you come in with a preconceived idea of how a certain pitch is going to play, you limit your plan,” Crowe said.

Meanwhile, KKR’s Anukul Roy said that the team’s first win last week has boosted players’ confidence. “Whatever we are trying to do, we haven’t been able to do up to the mark. Results can go up and down. We are trying to win every game possible from here,” Roy said.

When quizzed whether Matheesha Pathirana will be available for the game, the youngster remained tight-lipped. “He has been practicing with us for the last week. You’ll only know at the toss tomorrow if he’s playing or not,” Roy said.

Published on Apr 25, 2026