FANTASY PREVIEW
Follow UsThe Indian Premier League is heading into the business end, and the race for the final four spots in the points table is heating up as the days progress.
After recording a nail-biting win against Delhi Capital in their last encounter, Lucknow Super Giants will aim to get vital two points and move to 16 points in an evening encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders.
On the other hand, the fortunes of the boys in Purple and Gold are hanging by a thread as they need to win all their four remaining fixtures to stay in contention for the playoffs.
Despite the two teams being on opposite ends of the spectrum in this edition of the IPL, there are plenty of match-winners on either side, which promises to be a high-voltage contest at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
SUGGESTED TEAM
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
GROUND DETAILS
In the 20 innings played at the MCA Stadium in Pune, the average first innings total is around the 173-run mark, and the average score chased by most teams is 160 runs.
Out of 119 wickets picked at this venue in IPL 2022, pacers have been most effective and scalped 70.6 percent of the wickets with 4.6 wickets per innings compared to 29.4 percent and 1.8 wickets per innings by the spinners.
SUGGESTED CAPTAIN
KL Rahul
With 451 runs in 10 innings at an average of 56.38 and a strike rate of 145, KL Rahul is second on the list of leading run-scorers in the competition.
The skipper of the Lucknow side will be one of the key players for the side in their bid to register a win and consolidate their position in the top two of the points table.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Rahul to score 38-58 runs in this match.
X-FACTORS
Shreyas Iyer
The leading run-scorer for Kolkata Knight Riders, Shreyas Iyer, will be the vital cog for the team in this crucial encounter.
The right-handed batter has scored 324 runs in 10 innings at an average of 36, and the Knight Riders will look to their skipper to lay a solid foundation for the team and get to mammoth first innings total or inch closer to target in the second innings.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Iyer to score 29-43 runs in this match.
Krunal Pandya
One of the most consistent bowlers for the Super Giants in the league, Krunal Pandya, has scalped nine wickets and conceded at an economy rate of 6.6 runs per over.
Despite the wickets being conducive for strokeplay, Krunal has bowled a nagging line and length and restricted the flow of runs in the middle overs.
With a couple of right-handed batters in the opposition batting unit, Krunal will be the trump card for the Lucknow sides.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Pandya to pick up 2-3 wickets in this match.
Nitish Rana
In their comprehensive seven-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals, Nitish Rana played a match-defining knock of unbeaten 48 off 37 deliveries.
One of the mainstays in the batting unit of the Knight Riders for the past couple of years, Rana has produced dominant performances to guide the team over the line on numerous occasions.
In a must-win clash, the team will rely heavily on his experience to register a win and stay alive in the competition.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Rana to score 23-35 runs in this match.
