Lucknow Super Giants (IPLT20.com)
Running high on the win adrenaline, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are all set to take on the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) at their home ground, the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on 22 April for match 30 of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In the current season, even though, LSG's skipper KL Rahul has been subjected to a lot of criticism due to his below sub-par performance, the team has managed to stay afoot and has won four out of six matches, placing them in the second position on the league table. With the likes of Mark Wood, Kyle Mayers the team endured a victory against the table toppers, Rajasthan Royals. Moreover, there are reports that star pacer Mohsin Khan is reportedly fit and available for selections.
On the other hand, while Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans have won three of their five games and are currently in fourth place, their captain's batting form has also been under the radar with scores of 8, 5, and 8 in the three out of the four innings he has played so far. Apart from this, the entire team under Ashish Nehra's coaching is blooming like a flower, from Shubman Gill to Rashid Khan everyone has been performing vivaciously.
Both teams have a wealth of hard-hitting batsmen and world-class bowlers in their ranks, making for an exciting match-up.
Match Details
Date and Time: 22 April, 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Live Streaming and Broadcast: Jio Cinema & Star Sports Network
Pitch Report
As per this season of IPL, the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has been witnessing low-scoring matches, with the pitch providing equal support to both pacers and spinners.
It is expected that the upcoming match between LSG and GT will also be a closely contested low-scoring game. Moreover, the weather forecast for match day in Lucknow is clear, with a high temperature of 37°C.
Predicted Playing XIs
Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers/Quinton de Kock, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ayush Badoni, Avesh Khan/Mohsin Khan, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Mark Wood, Ravi Bishnoi
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma and Joshua Little
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keeper: Nicholas Pooran, Wriddhiman Saha
Batters: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, David Miller, B Sai Sudharsan
All-Rounders: Kyle Mayers, Marcus Stoinis
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, Mark Wood
Captain: Shubman Gill
Vice-Captain: KL Rahul
Prediction
This match is without a doubt going to be extremely competitive since both teams have been delivering impressive performances in their recent games. In my opinion, the Titans have a strong and well-rounded batting line-up. With players like Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, and Alzarri Joseph in their lower order, giving them the boost that is essential especially in the final overs.
Having played against one another twice, GT has emerged victorious on both the occasions, there's no denying that they have a significant advantage over the Lucknow Super Giants.