Ekana Stadium Pitch Report For LSG vs DC IPL 2024 Match

Captain KL Rahul with Marcus Stoinis (AP News)Captain KL Rahul with Marcus Stoinis (AP News)

On April 12th, cricket enthusiasts will witness an electrifying clash between the Lucknow Supergiants (LSG) and the struggling Delhi Capitals (DC) at the iconic Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, affectionately known as Ekana Stadium, in Lucknow. 

As the teams square off, Lucknow stands firm at number 3 on the leaderboard, securing victory in 3 out of 4 matches, while DC finds themselves languishing at the bottom, having lost 4 out of 5 encounters.

DC's bowling unit has endured a rough patch, leaking runs in recent outings. Confronted with imposing totals, they faltered against KKR and Mumbai Indians, conceding mammoth scores of 272 and 234 runs respectively. Rishabh Pant's decision to elevate Abishek Porel to number 3 in the batting order in the previous fixture proved futile, with Porel struggling to accelerate the scoring amidst a daunting chase.

While DC's opening partnership between David Warner and Prithvi Shaw had shown promise, injuries have forced them to reassess their batting lineup. In contrast, Lucknow enters the fray riding high on confidence, positioned securely at number 3. Their recent triumph over the Gujarat Titans saw Marcus Stoinis finding form with a gritty 58, ably supported by Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni.

The spotlight, however, veered towards Yash Thakur, whose mesmerizing spell fetched him five wickets, including a maiden over. Yet, Lucknow's hopes are dampened by the absence of Mayank Yadav due to abdominal soreness, prompting cautious management of his fitness for future encounters.

But before the thrilling clash, let's take a look at the pitch:


Ekana Stadium Lucknow Pitch Report

The Ekana Cricket Stadium pitch presents a challenge for batters, requiring them to spend time settling in before accelerating their scoring. Bowlers enjoy a significant advantage here, with seam movement on the new ball being moderate, necessitating pacers to rely on variations like slow balls and cutters. Spinners, on the other hand, find ample assistance and significant turn from the surface.

Notoriously, the ground has witnessed low scores being defended in previous IPL seasons, highlighting its bowler-friendly nature. Run-scoring becomes progressively harder as the match progresses, amplifying the importance of batting first. In the current season, the average first-innings score stands at 181, with both victories secured by teams batting first.

For the upcoming LSG vs DC clash, the pitch is anticipated to be on the slower side. The Super Giants successfully restricted their previous opponent to 163 runs and will aim for a similar feat against the Capitals. Opting to bat first is advisable, considering the challenges posed to chasing sides in the last match.