IPL 2023, LSG vs RCB: Predicted Playing XIs & Impact Player Substitutes

image-lh3ck906Stoinis celebrates a wicket against PBKS (IPLT20.COM)

Lucknow Super Giants is set to host the Royal Challengers Bangalore in a return fixture in match 43 of the ongoing IPL 2023 season.

The last time these two sides clashed in this tournament saw the Super Giants emerging as close winners in a last-ball thriller at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

As of now, the LSG have secured five wins from their eight matches while the RCB have registered four wins and four defeats from their respective eight fixtures.

Ahead of their much-awaited clash, here at OneCricket we predict strongest starting XIs of both LSG and RCB, along with their respective five impact players.

Lucknow Super Giants

Openers

KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers

KL Rahul’s elegance at the top of the order has remained a driving source of LSG’s success since their IPL debut last year. The stylish batter has also rounded up notable scores this season, having listed two sparkling half-centuries to his name within the halfway stage of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Kyle Mayers’ 24-ball 54 against PBKS in the previous game laid the foundation of his side’s humongous 257-run effort upfront.

Middle Order

Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran and Krunal Pandya

image-lh3cofmpPooran hits a six against PBKS (IPLT20.COM)

Marcus Stoinis, who sustained a finger injury in his previous outing, is likely to be fit for the RCB game. The Australian all-rounder clubbed a 40-ball 72 against PBKS, and was assisted by Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran with thunderous cameos.

All-rounders Deepak Hooda and Krunal Pandya are also more than capable of handling their team’s middle-overs batting cause, considering their splendid run last year.

Bowlers

Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan and Yash Thakur

LSG’s Afghanistan star Naveen-ul-Haq flattened PBKS batting order with a three-fer in a high-scoring game, while spinner Yash Thakur led his side to a big win with four wickets in the same innings. He was assisted by Ravi Bishnoi, who has been delivering tight run-containing spells this season.

Avesh Khan, while expensive in his recent appearance, delivered a match-winning one not long ago against Rajasthan Royals.

Predicted Playing XI of Lucknow Super Giants:

KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan and Yash Thakur

Impact Players

Krishnappa Gowtham

Amit Mishra

Romario Shepherd

Daniel Sams

Karan Sharma

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Openers

Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis

image-lh3cq3fcVirat Kohli in action in IPL 2023 (IPLT20.COM)

Both RCB openers, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, have been in scintillating touch with the bat this season. While the former Indian captain is currently second in the race for ‘Orange Cap’ with 333 runs, his overseas teammate is leading the charts with 422 runs.

Middle Order

Shahbaz Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik and Suyash Prabhudessai

RCB’s middle-order, sans Glenn Maxwell, is yet to leave a notable mark this season. While Maxwell has been successful in charging up his side’s run-rate from time to time, the Australian all-rounder has not received much assistance from the rest of the middle-order.

However, veteran Dinesh Karthik remains RCB’s best bet in the death overs, considering his experience in the format. Mahipal Lomror will be inching to convert a good start into a big one, unlike his recent innings this year.

Bowlers

Harshal Patel, David Willey, Vijaykumar Vyshak and Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj is currently one of the leading wicket-takers of the season with 14 scalps to his name. The speedster has received much assistance from Harshal Patel, while David Willey recently unfurled a game-turning spell against Rajasthan.

Young Vijaykumar Vyshak has also impressed one-and-all in the opportunities bestowed upon him this season.

Predicted Playing XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Shahbaz Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Harshal Patel, David Willey, Vijaykumar Vyshak and Mohammed Siraj

Impact Players

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva

Wayne Parnell

Akash Deep

Anuj Rawat

Michael Bracewell