IPL 2023, LSG vs DC: Preview, Pitch Report, Probable XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction
India's biggest cricketing festival - The Indian Premier League 2023 has started with a bang! It is now time for the third game of the season and we have KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants taking on Delhi Capitals. David Warner is the leader this time for Delhi and we are in for an exciting game as two power-packed teams look to start their 2023 campaign on a bright note at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
Team Preview: Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants are a pretty strong unit on paper. They qualified for the playoffs in their inaugural season but they could not find a settled unit throughout the season and that cost them in the end.
The skipper KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock and Deepak Hooda scored bulk of the runs last time around but they would be hoping that their new additions, Nicholas Pooran and Kyle Mayers create an impact too in this season. Also, Kyle Mayers is set to open the innings in this opening game as Quinton de Kock is out for the first two games due to national duties.
On the bowling front, they would be missing Mohsin Khan due to an injury but they would hope that Jaydev Unadkat carries his new renewed confidence into this edition. They have the extreme pace of Mark Wood too but again, they are a team full of all-rounders and that is their biggest strength.
Team Preview: Delhi Capitals
First things first, Delhi Capitals are without Rishabh Pant this season. The dashing batter is out of the whole season and it will be David Warner who will be leading the side. The man would be pretty determined to lead from the front as he has done for SRH in the past and along with Shaw forms a dangerous opening pair.
Mitchell Marsh would also be a key player with his all-round skills while we can expect Rovman Powell to make an impact with his tremendous form in recent times. However, all lot will depend on how their local players perform in the middle order.
They would be missing Anrich Nortje for the opening game but have quality blend of spinners and pacers. Kuldeep Yadav was brilliant last year and once again the onus would be on him to strike in the middle overs. We might also see Axar Patel making a larger impact with his all-round skills this year.
Match Details
Date and Time: April 1, 7.30 PM IST
Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Live Streaming: Jio Cinema App & Star Sports Network
Pitch Report: The pitch at the Ekana Stadium is expected to produce good balance between bat and ball. The average first innings score here is 151 but the last time a T20I was played here, New Zealand was restricted below 100 in the first innings. However, we can expect a better pitch this time around but batters would need to show application in the middle.
Probable Playing XIs
Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (C), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Daniel Sams, Jaydev Unadkat, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mark Wood.
Delhi Capitals: David Warner (C), Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan, Rovman Powell, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Chetan Sakariya, Khaleel Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeepers: KL Rahul
Batters: David Warner, Nicholas Pooran, Prithvi Shaw, Rovman Powell
All-rounders: Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mark Wood
Captain: Mitchell Marsh
Vice-Captain: KL Rahul
Prediction
Both the teams have some quality players but it seems and it will surely be a close contest. However, Lucknow has better balance with Delhi bit light on the bowling front and the KL Rahul-led unit looks better placed to win their opening game.
 "Aashay Chopade")
