The Ekana Cricket Stadium will host the upcoming clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans on 12th April.
Match Preview:
This upcoming fixture features two in-form teams going head-to-head. Talking about Lucknow, they recently beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), thanks largely to the heroics of Nicholas Pooran. Another key factor in the team’s success has been Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh.
Their consistent contributions at the top, along with Pooran’s performances in the middle order, have been the main reasons why Lucknow has been winning consistently.
Pooran is currently the leading run-scorer with an impressive 288 runs, and his strike rate against spinners is also noteworthy. So, if Lucknow wants to keep their winning streak intact, Pooran will have to fire on all cylinders.
Additionally, the side will be hoping that Digvesh Rathi continues his rich vein of form, as he has been the most economical bowler compared to the rest of the bowling unit. Heroics from Ravi Bishnoi will also be expected by the team.
Talking about Gujarat, after losing their opening game, GT has embarked on a four-match winning streak. Moving Jos Buttler up the order has proved to be a revelation for the Titans. Buttler is currently the fourth-highest run-scorer this season, having scored 202 runs so far.
GT will be hoping that Rashid Khan regains his form. However, the main question is that he has only bowled a single over in the powerplay, should he bowl early against LSG, considering Marsh, Markram, and Pooran all have sub-120 strike rates against him?
GT will also be hoping Prasidh Krishna continues his good form and keeps targeting immaculate line and length, as he can be a real threat to LSG’s middle order.
Probable Playing XIIS:
Gujarat Titans (probable XII): 1 Shubman Gill (capt), 2 B Sai Sudharsan, 3 Jos Buttler (wk), 4 Sherfane Rutherford, 5 Shahrukh Khan, 6 Rahul Tewatia, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 R Sai Kishore, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Prasidh Krishna, 12 Arshad Khan/Kulwant Khejroliya
Lucknow Super Giants (probable XII): 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Nicholas Pooran, 4 Rishabh Pant (capt, wk), 5 Ayush Badoni, 6 David Miller, 7 Abdul Samad, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Avesh Khan, 10 Akash Deep, 11 Digvesh Rathi, 12 Ravi Bishnoi
Pitch and weather report:
Although a significant delay is unlikely, there is a probability of rain in the evening. In terms of the pitch, pacers have already claimed 15 wickets in Lucknow while spinners have only claimed 6.
Following disappointment from Pant and LSG coach Zaheer Khan over the spinners’ lack of support during their defeat to Punjab Kings, Lucknow did use a black-soil pitch. However, throughout the 472-run match, the spinners only claimed two of the ten wickets. Given that it’s a day game, they might have a better time this time.
Head-to-head record:
The two teams have faced each other five times, with Gujarat winning four of the games and Lucknow winning just one.
Prediction:
It would be a batting contest as both teams’ batters are in rich form but given Lucknow will be playing at their home soil it will give them an upper hand to beat high-flying Titans.
Where to Watch:
India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar
Australia: Kayo TV, FoxTel Go
Bangladesh: T Sports, Toffee app
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
South Africa: SuperSport
Sri Lanka: Dialog
UK: Sky Sports, SkyGo
USA: Willow TV
Afghanistan: ATN
MENA: Cricbuzz
