Predicted Playing XI of Lucknow Super Giants for Match 21 of IPL 2023
KL Rahul congratulating PBKS batter. (Twitter)
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be looking to continue with their winning momentum in IPL 2023 as they host Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday, April 15.
LSG pulled a miraculous run-chase of 213 off the last ball against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Bengaluru. A win like that can boost any team's confidence. LSG are heading into this game after winning two games on the trot. Riding on the momentum, the Lucknow-based team will be looking to register their third straight win in the tournament. They wouldn't have asked for a better venue to complete a hat-trick of wins in the first phase of the IPL 2023 than their home ground. LSG has played two games in Lucknow so far and emerged victorious on both occasions.
Openers:
KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock
Kyle Mayers displayed great form in the first two matches of the ongoing tournament. Mayers scored consecutive half-centuries in the first two matches of the tournament which kept Quinton de Kock on the sidelines. But the last two games haven't been great for him which can prompt team management to bring de Kock for the game against Punjab Kings.
One of the main reasons why LSG qualified for the playoffs was the opening partnership of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. Rahul had a prolific IPL 2022, but he hasn't been able to replicate last year's performances this season. Rahul's overcautious approach hasn't really helped his team's cause.
Middle-order:
Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda hasn't been the player that we saw, as he hasn't fired with the bat yet given his credentials, but the 27-year-old is likely to be backed by the team management to come good in the game against Punjab.
Krunal Pandya
Pandya played an important role in LSG's last home game against SRH, taking three wickets for 18 runs in his four overs and also scoring 34 off 23 balls to claim the Man of the Match award. However, in the following game against RCB, he failed with the bat and ball.
There's no doubt that he will be able to create an impact with the ball as the conditions are expected to aid spinners again but how he fares with the bat at 4 will be the main focus of the team.
Marcus Stoinis
After a string of low scores, Stoinis finally justified his place in the playing eleven by smashing five maximums and six fours to get a score of 65 runs off 30 balls. His contributions helped LSG record their first win against RCB in the history of the cash-rich league.
The hard-hitting batter is a seasoned T20 player and has got the game to play according to the situation. He showed it in the last game against RCB and thus he will be able to retain his place. Skipper Rahul hasn't used him as a bowler yet, but given the conditions in Lucknow, he can be used as the sixth bowling option.
Nicholas Pooran
Pooran was one of the most expensive purchases in the IPL 2023 auction as he was snapped by LSG for INR 16 crore. He has been able to justify his price tag by delivering for his team with the bat while batting in the middle order. He was the chief architect behind LSG’s famous win against RCB at the Chinnaswamy stadium. Pooran played one of the best innings, slamming a 19-ball 62 to help LSG overcome RCB in the last over by one wicket. He played shots all around the ground and showed his range. LSG team management has backed up and he has not disappointed his captain or the coaching staff so far in the season.
Bowlers:
Mark Wood
Mark Wood is among the top wicket-takers in the season this year with nine wickets in three outings. This truly has been a sensational comeback for the Englishmen. The express pace bowler pacer has the ability to clock 150 kmph consistently and hit the right areas.
On his day, he can rip through the opposition's batting lineup and provide his side the crucial breakthroughs. Whenever Wood bowls he puts in a lot of effort and often gets rewards for that. It'll be interesting to see how PBKS batters play the in-form Wood in Lucknow.
Jaydev Unadkat
Unadkat hasn’t had the best of outings in IPL 2023. The left-arm speedster is yet to pick up a single wicket in the three matches. In the last match, Unadkat conceded 27 runs in his two overs.
Despite his failures, LSG is likely to stick with Unadkat. The left-arm seamer has been in great form in the domestics and is likely to make an impact with the ball in the game against PBKS.
Ravi Bishnoi
At a very young age, Ravi Bishnoi made a name for himself as a proven wicket-taker. The leggie has taken six wickets in four games and is the second LSG bowler in the list of the top ten wicket-takers.
Considering that the track in Lucknow is slow and offers assistance to the spinners, the leg-spinner is going to play a significant role again if LSG wants to continue their winning run at home.
Amit Mishra
There is no alternative to experience and Amit Mishra is proving just that. Having started this year's season extremely well, Mishra will be looking to add more wickets to his tally. He has taken three wickets in two appearances at 6.83 runs per over while bowling with some serious class and guile.
Mishra could prove to be lethal as PBKS will find it tricky to target the veteran leggie for big runs. The slowness of the pitch will allow Mishra to bowl his full quota of four overs in the game.
Avesh Khan
It hasn't been the best of starts of the season for Avesh Khan. In the three games, he has picked three wickets at an economy rate of 11 runs per over. In a high-scoring encounter against RCB, Avesh gave away 53 runs in his four overs. He also got fined for antics on the field. LSG team management would be hoping that Avesh can dismantle the PBKS batting line-up with his pace and bounce.
Probable Impact Players:
Ayush Badoni, Yash Thakur, Kyle Mayers, Prerak Mankad, Krishnappa Gowtham
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