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LAKR vs TSK Fantasy Team Prediction: Los Angeles Knight Riders host Texas Super Kings in the 18th match of MLC 2026 on Saturday, July 4, at the Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona. Play starts at 1:30 AM local time.
LAKR arrive off the back of three straight losses, the most recent a genuinely rough one where they were bowled out for just 108 on their own home ground. TSK come in with the better points tally and a batting lineup that opened the season with a 113 not out from their own captain. On paper this looks lopsided. The ground itself might have other plans.
Match Details
Match: LAKR vs TSK, 18th T20, MLC 2026
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 1:30 AM local (California)
Venue: Knight Riders Cricket Field, Pomona
LAKR Captain: Jason Holder
TSK Captain: Faf du Plessis
Watch live in India: Star Sports 2, JioHotstar
What This Ground Has Actually Shown So Far
Two matches have been played at Knight Riders Cricket Field, and they’ve gone in opposite directions, which is worth knowing before anyone tells you this pitch only rewards one style of cricket.
In the first match here, LAKR batted first against Washington Freedom and were bowled out for 108. WF chased it down comfortably. That looked like a bowler’s pitch through and through. Then in the very next match, MI New York batted first against Seattle Orcas and posted 132/8, a total that held up. Seattle chased hard but came up 6 runs short at 126/9. That’s a win for the team batting first, on the same ground, one night later.
This pitch rewards good execution more than it rewards a specific toss decision. One low target got chased down easily. One modest total got successfully defended. Both results came down to which side bowled and batted better on the night, not simply who won the toss.
The pace bowling numbers at this venue remain strong regardless, with seamers taking the majority of wickets across both games. New ball movement has mattered in both matches, even in the one that was successfully defended.
Team Form Last 5
LAKR: L L L W W
Three straight defeats now, including that 108 all out collapse against Washington Freedom. Before the slide started, LAKR actually looked sharp, beating Seattle Orcas by putting up 196 and then chasing down San Francisco Unicorns’ 150 with plenty of overs unused. The talent in this squad clearly exists. It just hasn’t shown up the last three times out.
TSK: L W W L L
A mixed picture, but TSK’s wins have come with authority. They chased down MINY’s 127 comfortably and defended 161 against San Francisco Unicorns. Their losses have been to two of the league’s stronger sides this season, Washington Freedom and MINY, both close finishes rather than blowouts.
Head to Head LAKR vs TSK
TSK have the clear upper hand in this rivalry, winning 3 of the last 4 meetings.
- 15th T20, MLC 2025: TSK made 196/8, LAKR fell short at 144/7. TSK won.
- 5th T20, MLC 2025: TSK posted a big 181/4, LAKR could only manage 124 in 17.1 overs. TSK won.
- 2nd T20, MLC 2024: TSK were held to 150/8, LAKR chased it down for 162/7. LAKR won.
- 1st T20, MLC 2023: TSK scored 181/6, LAKR were bowled out for just 112 in 14 overs. TSK won.
LAKR’s only win in this stretch came two seasons ago. TSK have owned this fixture recently, and a home ground pitch that’s punishing batters right now doesn’t exactly favour the side trying to break that streak.
Points Table Right Now
| Team | P | W | L | NRR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Super Kings | 6 | 3 | 3 | +0.033 | 6 |
| Los Angeles Knight Riders | 5 | 2 | 3 | +0.360 | 4 |
TSK sit above LAKR on points despite a similar win record, largely down to playing one extra match. LAKR actually hold the healthier net run rate of the two, a leftover from their big wins earlier in the season before the current slide began.
Team Comparison Overall
LAKR: Win rate of 30 percent, averaging 164 runs per innings, with a best of 243 and a worst of 103.
TSK: Win rate of 50 percent, averaging a lower 159 runs per innings, with a best of 221 and a worst of just 87.
LAKR actually score more on average but win far less often, a sign of a team that can look good in patches but hasn’t put full performances together. TSK score less but convert far more of their matches into wins, built around Faf du Plessis anchoring the top order and a bowling attack that knows how to defend totals.
Pitch Report: Knight Riders Cricket Field, Pomona
This ground has produced two results in opposite directions, one won by the chasing side, one won by the side defending. Pace bowling has had a big say in both games, and totals have generally stayed on the lower side compared to other MLC venues.
Toss verdict: There’s no clear edge for either bat or bowl first based on the two matches played here. What has mattered more is discipline with the new ball and not losing early wickets in the powerplay, regardless of which side of the toss a team ends up on.
Par score: Based on the two completed matches here, anything in the 120 to 135 range should be treated as a genuinely strong total, well below the 175 plus figure that would apply at most other MLC venues.
Weather Report For July 4 In Pomona
- Temperature: Around 26.1 degrees Celsius
- Conditions: Light rain
- Humidity: 81 percent
- Rain chance: 74 percent
A serious rain risk here, similar to what hit LAKR’s last match at this same ground. With humidity this high and rain already in the forecast, seam movement could be even more pronounced than it already has been at this venue. Fans should be prepared for a possible delay or reduced overs contest.
Los Angeles Knight Riders Playing XI
Based on their most recent match against Washington Freedom, expect Colin Munro, Andre Fletcher, Rovman Powell, Unmukt Chand, Andre Russell, Jason Holder (captain), Sunil Narine, Fabian Allen, Kristopher Ramsaran, Ali Khan, Carmi le Roux.
Lloyd Pope remains part of the LAKR squad but has not featured in any match this season. Don’t pick him for your fantasy team unless the official toss lineup proves otherwise.
Texas Super Kings Playing XI
Based on their squad and recent selections, expect Faf du Plessis (captain), Donovan Ferreira (vice captain), Rilee Rossouw, Wiaan Mulder, Shubham Ranjane, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Akeal Hosein, Keshav Maharaj, Adam Milne, Nandre Burger, Hardus Viljoen.
Players To Watch
Faf du Plessis, Texas Super Kings
The most in form batter on either side right now. He opened this MLC season with an unbeaten 113 and remains MLC history’s leading run scorer across three seasons with this franchise. On a ground that’s punishing batters early, having a player of his experience at the top of the order is exactly what TSK need.
Colin Munro, Los Angeles Knight Riders
The one bright spot in LAKR’s otherwise miserable last outing, top scoring with 33 off 36 balls while the rest of the order collapsed around him. He’ll be looking to turn that start into something bigger tonight.
Andre Russell, Los Angeles Knight Riders
A genuine match winner with both bat and ball whenever he gets going. With LAKR’s recent form in freefall, they need exactly the kind of explosive, momentum shifting contribution Russell is capable of producing out of nowhere.
Adam Milne, Texas Super Kings
A genuine strike bowler with real pace, which matters enormously at a ground where fast bowling has already taken 86 percent of the wickets on offer this season. Milne could be the difference maker with the new ball tonight.
Keshav Maharaj, Texas Super Kings
Even on a pace dominated surface, a bowler of Maharaj’s control and experience through the middle overs adds a layer TSK’s attack can lean on if LAKR’s batters try to counter attack the quicks.
Match Prediction
TSK carry the better head to head record, the stronger recent bowling performances, and a captain playing some of the best cricket of his career right now. LAKR are in the middle of a genuine slide, three losses in a row, the last one especially ugly on this exact ground.
The one thing working in LAKR’s favour is home familiarity with a pitch that’s already shown it can undo any batting lineup regardless of reputation. Our prediction leans TSK, mainly on the strength of du Plessis and a bowling attack built for exactly these seaming conditions, but keep a close eye on the weather. With a 74 percent rain chance, this match could easily be decided by the toss and the conditions before either team’s actual quality comes into it.
Also Read: MINY vs SO Fantasy Team Prediction, Pitch Report, Weather and Playing XI — MLC 2026
Best Fantasy XI For LAKR vs TSK Tonight
| Player | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Donovan Ferreira | TSK | Wicketkeeper |
| Faf du Plessis (Captain) | TSK | Batter |
| Colin Munro (Vice Captain) | LAKR | Batter |
| Rilee Rossouw | TSK | Batter |
| Andre Russell | LAKR | All Rounder |
| Sunil Narine | LAKR | All Rounder |
| Wiaan Mulder | TSK | All Rounder |
| Adam Milne | TSK | Bowler |
| Keshav Maharaj | TSK | Bowler |
| Fabian Allen | LAKR | Bowler |
| Ali Khan | LAKR | Bowler |
Captain: Faf du Plessis. An unbeaten 113 to open his season and the leading run scorer in MLC history with this franchise. There is no batter on either side in better touch right now, and captain picks earn double points, making him the clear top choice.
Vice Captain: Colin Munro. The only LAKR batter who actually looked comfortable in their last outing, scoring 33 off 36 balls while everyone around him struggled. If he builds on that tonight, he offers genuine upside from a team otherwise short on form.
Differential Pick: Wiaan Mulder. With most fantasy teams expected to load up on du Plessis and Rossouw from the TSK top order, Mulder’s all round ability gives you a lower ownership route into the same team’s depth, with the added bonus of runs and wickets both on the table.
FANTASY
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What time does LAKR vs TSK start?
A: 1:30 AM local time in Pomona on Saturday, July 4.
Q: Should the toss winner bat or bowl first at this ground?
A: Neither option has a clear edge based on the two matches played here so far. One was won by the team chasing, the other by the team defending. Discipline with the new ball has mattered more than the toss itself.
Q: What is the head to head record between LAKR and TSK?
A: Texas Super Kings lead 3 wins to 1 across their last 4 meetings.
Q: Is Lloyd Pope playing for LAKR tonight?
A: He is part of the squad but has not played a match this season. Check the official toss lineup before picking him in fantasy.
Q: Will rain affect tonight’s match?
A: There is a 74 percent chance of rain in Pomona, so a delay or reduced overs match is a real possibility.
Q: Who is the best captain pick for LAKR vs TSK fantasy tonight?
A: Faf du Plessis. He opened the season with an unbeaten 113 and remains the leading run scorer in MLC history for this franchise.
Q: Where can I watch LAKR vs TSK live in India?
A: Star Sports 2 on TV and JioHotstar for streaming.