The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) return to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium tonight, Wednesday, 22 April, to face the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-stakes Match 32. While the hosts are desperate to secure their first home win of the IPL 2026 season, the weather in the Uttar Pradesh capital is expected to play a significant role in the players' physical endurance. You Can Follow Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals Scorecard here.

Current forecasts indicate that while the skies will remain clear for the duration of the match, extreme heat will be the primary environmental challenge for both squads.

Lucknow Temperature and Sky Conditions

Lucknow has been gripped by an early-season heatwave, with daytime temperatures peaking at 41°C earlier today. For the evening fixture, conditions are expected to remain intense:

  • Match Start (19:30 IST): Temperatures are forecast to hover around 34°C to 35°C.

  • Late Evening: The mercury will slowly dip to approximately 29°C by the close of play.

  • Sky: Clear and sunny throughout the day, transitioning into a hazy but clear night.

    Zero Rain Threat

Following a matchday yesterday in Hyderabad that carried a minor rain risk, the outlook for Lucknow is far more stable. Meteorological data shows a 0% probability of precipitation, ensuring an uninterrupted 40-over contest. Cloud cover is expected to be non-existent, meaning neither side will have to worry about the DLS method or sudden interruptions. IPL 2026 Points Table With Net Run-Rate: SRH Move to 3rd Spot With Win Over DC.

The Dew Factor and Humidity

While rain is not a concern, the "dew factor" remains a critical tactical variable at the Ekana Stadium.

  • Humidity: Levels are expected to be relatively low at the start (around 15%) but will rise to near 45% to 50% as the night progresses.

  • Impact: Moderate dew is expected to settle during the second innings. This typically makes the ball skid more easily onto the bat, often favouring the team batting second and making life difficult for spinners trying to grip the ball.

    Lucknow Weather Live

    Pitch Conditions: A Shift to Red Soil

Reports from the ground indicate a strategic shift in pitch preparation. While the Ekana has been known for its slow, black-soil surfaces that grip and turn, tonight’s match is expected to be played on a red-soil deck.

This surface traditionally offers better bounce and carry, which could assist Rajasthan’s Jofra Archer and Lucknow’s Mohammed Shami. However, the extreme heat has ensured the pitch is drier than usual, which may still bring spinners like Ravi Bishnoi into the game during the middle overs.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 22, 2026 10:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).