Will inconsistent LSG find their form against up and down CSK?
After receiving painful drubbing from KKR, KL Rahul led LSG face home dominant CSK at Lucknow. Affected by inconsistency and some key players form, LSG are sitting at 5th spot. KL and De Kock failing to forge big opening stand. No 3 is always a conundrum for LSG. Stoinis is not living up to the standards at no 4. Badoni and Pooran are steadying the ship and providing decent finish at the end. LSG’s batting average in the PP and death is the lowest in the league. Pitch maybe the reason for them to struggle, but batters are not setting up the tone. Bishnoi, Yash and Mohsin are providing vital break throughs. The return of Mayank Yadav is still a question without answer. Krunal Pandya’s bowling in the last two matches left him under the scanner. Bishnoi and Krunal’s tactics against Shivam Dube will be a contest to look out.
Probable XI:
Lucknow Super Giants:
Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (C & WK), Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Shamar Joseph, YS Thakur
Impact Sub: Devdutt Padikkal/Mayank Yadav
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Ekana track might support CSK’s strengths. Ruturaj and Rachin are providing blistering starts at the top of the order. Even though Rachin’s scores are not too high in last few matches, every team is aware what he can do. Rejuvenated Dube is pushing his claim for WC spot through his six hitting prowess. Daryl Mitchell needs to step up if he gets another opportunity. Dhoni and Jadeja down the order provide stormy finishes. Tushar’s redemption and Shardul’s wicket taking ability is a key for CSK’s success. Pathirana as usual is rattling the stumps at regular intervals. Mustafizur will be eager to bowl his cutters on this track. Pathirana and Fizz’s death skills against Pooran will be tested. LSG’s batting order contains some lefties. It will bring Moeen or Theekshana to the scheme of things. CSK’s bowling unit is the best in the middle overs by just conceding 7.03 per over.
Probable XI:
Chennai Super Kings:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Daryl Mitchell, MS Dhoni (WK), RA Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, TU Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Pathirana
Impact Subs: Maheesh Theekshana/Moeen Ali/Sameer Rizvi
Form Guide:
LSG LLWWW
CSK WWLLW
Pitch and Weather Report:
Bowlers will get more pace and bounce on these two paced red soil tracks. Spinners will be effective if they hit proper lengths. It is expected to be a hot day in Lucknow. More than 40 degrees Celsius is expected in day, which will slightly doze off in the evening.
Venue Details:
Match Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Live Broadcast: Star Sports Network
Live Streaming: Jio Cinema
Predicted Dream XI:
