LSG vs RCB: 5 Player Battles To Watch Out For
LSG will take on RCB in Lucknow tonight [Source: AP]
The 43rd group-stage match of the IPL 2023 will see a high-octane clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Both teams comprise some outright match-winners, so we expect a fascinating clash at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee stadium in Lucknow tonight.
Meanwhile, there are some on-field rivalries which can determine the outcome of the game. Let's analyse and list such five player battles to watch out for in this face-off.
Glenn Maxwell vs Krunal Pandya
Glenn Maxwell is in sublime form [Source: AP]
Since joining the RCB camp, Glenn Maxwell has been exceptional for the franchise, emerging as their go-to man against spinners in the middle overs.
While Maxwell holds a stunning record against LSG's primary spin weapon Ravi Bishnoi, his on-field battle with Krunal Pandya could be interesting, as the latter has dismissed him three times in the IPL.
Glenn Maxwell vs Krunal Pandya in IPL: 35 balls, 42 runs, 3 dismissals, Avg- 14
KL Rahul vs Mohammed Siraj
Siraj has been exceptional with the ball in IPL 2023 [Source: AP]
Mohammed Siraj has been a lone warrior for RCB with the ball, scalping 14 wickets in eight outings at an impressive economy of 7.28. His on-field battle with the LSG skipper KL Rahul will be fascinating, as he dismissed the latter the last time these two teams took on each other.
However, Rahul has a clear upper hand over Siraj in terms of overall stats.
KL Rahul vs Mohammed Siraj: 53 balls, 96 runs, 1 dismissal, SR- 181.1
Virat Kohli vs Avesh Khan
Virat Kohli celebrating his fifty [Source: AP]
The last time RCB played against LSG, Virat Kohli had a fabulous outing, amassing 61 runs off 44 deliveries. However, LSG's Avesh Khan has dismissed him twice in the IPL and could be a significant threat to him in tonight's game.
Virat Kohli vs Avesh Khan: 21 balls, 23 runs, 2 dismissals, Avg- 11.5
Nicholas Pooran vs Wanindu Hasaranga
Nicholas Pooran played a match-winning knock against RCB last time [Source: AP]
As the surface in Lucknow will be conducive for spin bowling, RCB would like their ace spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to weave his magic with the ball tonight.
However, swashbuckling keeper-batter Nicholas Pooran could be a threat to Hasaranga as he has amazing numbers versus leg spinners in the middle overs.
Furthermore, Pooran was successful in neutralising Hasaranga last time, hammering him for 12 runs in four deliveries.
Nicholas Pooran vs right-arm leg spinners in middle overs: 473 runs, Avg- 43, SR- 162
Nicholas Pooran vs Wanindu Hasaranga in T20s: 8 balls, 17 runs, 1 dismissal
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Faf du Plessis vs Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi in action [Source: AP]
The journey of Ravi Bishnoi in the IPL 2023 has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. The promising leg spinner, who has recently been underwhelming with the ball, could have a modest outing tonight, as he will be up against his perennial nemesis Faf du Plessis, who has countered him to perfection so far.
Faf du Plessis: 56 balls, 90 runs, 0 dismissal, SR- 160.7
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