MATCH PREVIEW
Follow UsLucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat Titans (GT) have existed for only two years but have been two of the most consistent sides in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2022. But whenever they have faced each other, there’s been only one winner: the Titans. That’s right, LSG are yet to beat GT after having played them four times. However, that could change on April 7 (Sunday).
Lucknow have won two of their three games so far in the IPL 2024 and are one of the most balanced units. Mayank Yadav has been a sensation with the ball, while Nicholas Pooran has been hitting sixes for fun. Meanwhile, Gujarat have won two and lost two. The absence of David Miller (injured) and the form of some of their bowlers could hurt them against Lucknow.
LSG vs GT Head-to-Head
Overall - Games 4 | LSG 0 | GT 4
In Lucknow - Games 1 | LSG 0 | GT 1
Venue details
Lucknow emerged as the worst venue for batters last season, having the worst scoring rate (7.4), average (20.6) and balls/dismissal (16.8). But when Lucknow played Punjab Kings (PBKS) here last week, almost 380 runs were scored across 40 overs. The Super Giants posted a total of 199 and in response, Punjab got 178.
In IPL 2023, the spinners were almost unhittable at the Ekana Stadium, but that wasn’t the case last week. The likes of Rahul Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, Krunal Pandya and Manimaran Siddharth all went for runs, but some of the seamers did well and picked up 11 of the 13 wickets to fall.
Weather forecast
We are sure to have a full game in Lucknow. The temperature is expected to be around 30 degree Celsius. And the humidity will be in the range of 25-40%.
Things to watch out for
The two leggies need to step up
4 wickets in 4 innings @ 36.25 and an economy rate of 9.06
Now, these are not the type of numbers you would associate with Rashid Khan. The ace legspinner was supposed to be GT’s leading bowler in the absence of Mohammed Shami but the 25-year-old has under-performed big time. Amongst spinners who have bowled at least 10 overs this season, Rashid has the fourth-worst economy rate.
1 wicket in three innings @ 96 and an economy rate of 9.6
If Rashid has been bad for the Titans, Ravi Bishnoi has been even more worse for Lucknow. The legspinner has the second-worst average and third-worst economy rate amongst tweakers. If he doesn’t improve in the next few games, his T20 World Cup spot could come into jeopardy. Both teams would want their premier spinners to return back to their best as soon as possible.
Pooran is the key man for Lucknow
Nicholas Pooran has been LSG’s best batter this season, having slammed 146 runs at a strike rate of 175.9. The left-hander has been dismissed just once across three innings. 64* off 41 vs Rajasthan Royals, 42 off 21 vs Punjab and 40 off 21 vs RCB - Pooran has been in some hitting form in this year’s IPL.
Thanks to him, the Super Giants have the second-best scoring rate (9.5) in the middle overs. They also have the third-best balls/boundary (5.8) in this phase. Among batters who have faced at least 40 balls in the middle overs this season, Pooran (177.8) has the best strike rate. Noor Ahmad, however, has dismissed him twice in three innings and will be GT’s best bet against Pooran. Even Rashid has good numbers against Pooran (average 13.5, strike rate 62.8).
Probable XIs
LSG - Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda (IP), Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan (IP)
GT - Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan (IP), Kane Williamson, Vijay Shankar, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Umesh Yadav/Kartik Tyagi, Darshan Nalkande, Mohit Sharma (IP)
Telecast and streaming details
The match will be live on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on Jio Cinema. The game will start at 7:30 PM, with the toss happening at 7 PM.
