IPL 2024, LSG vs PBKS Strategic Corner - How Will LSG Encounter Harpreet Brar?

Harpreet Brar will be an important player for the PBKS in the match [iplt20.comHarpreet Brar will be an important player for the PBKS in the match [iplt20.com

The Lucknow Super Giants are all set to play against the Punjab Kings in the 11th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). The game will be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on the 30th of March at 7:30 PM IST. 

One of the two wickets used at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in IPL 2023 looked sluggish and slow, helping the spinners. If the same track is used for this game, Harpreet Brar could play a significant role against the LSG batters. 


Why Harpreet Brar will be a threat to the LSG batters?

  • The slowish and sluggish nature of the Ekana pitch will cause trouble to the batters during their shot-making against a spinner of Brar's skill. 
  • Harpreet Brar has been in great form in this tournament; he has an economy of just 3.85 while picking up wickets every 14 deliveries. 
  • The Indian left-arm spinner can outfox the batters with his variation in flight and pace. The more impactful LSG middle-order batters, like Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis, commit early while playing spin, which can bring their downfall. 
  • In the only game that Brar played at the Ekana Stadium he picked up a wicket while conceding only 10 runs of his two overs. Thus, one can say he enjoyed bowling on the wicket. 

How can the LSG batters handle Harpreet Brar?

Let us have a look at the the line and lengths Brar bowled in IPL 2023. 

Lines
Percentage Value
Lengths
Percentage Value
Outside Off Stump35.54Full toss3.61
Off Stump32.53Yorker
0
Middle Stump5.42Full Length30.72
Leg Stump19.87Good length61.44
Outside Leg Stump6.62Short of Length4.21

Table - Hapreet Brar's line and length in IPL 2023

This table gives us the idea that Brar likes to stay on the off stump and just outside line. The most preferred length for him has been the good length, however he is not afraid to pitch it up. From this we can decipher that Brar looks to invite the batters to hit him and then try and bit them with his variation in line and length. 


One of the biggest advantage for LSG is that they have four left handed batters in their line-up. This will definitely force Shikhar Dhawan to think about how he can use Brar during the game. 

While playing the LSG batters need to play Brar as late as possible. Committing to length early is mistake that they need to avoid. If Brar gets his rhythm right, then it will be interesting to watch him in action against PBKS.