Lucknow Super Giants, one of the newest entrants into the IPL, will take on Punjab Kings in a match in the 2024 edition of the tournament at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. Both teams hope to put up a big showing in front of the spectators who assemble and intend to pick up two points.
LSG have been far from their best in this tournament and will hope to ensure that the home conditions work in their favour and that they can overturn their fortunes. PBKS, on the other hand, have an expansive lineup that will do almost anything to come out on top.
Coming into this game on the back of a disappointing four-wicket defeat to RCB in Bengaluru on Monday, PBKS know that they have an uphill task on their hands. Shikhar Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, and Jonny Bairstow will have to bat out of their skins in order to set up a challenge for LSG's renowned batters.
Predicted Teams
LSG: KL Rahul (c & wk), Quinton de Kock, Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yash Thakur.
PBKS: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar.
Key Players
KL Rahul (LSG): LSG captain KL Rahul is one of the most dangerous players in the world at the moment. If he gets going quickly in this game, he will be hard to stop, and it remains to be seen if PBKS can indeed do that. Rahul is an elegant batter and will want to spend as much time in the middle as possible.
Shikhar Dhawan (PBKS): Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, who has experienced many ups and downs, knows he will have to push PBKS to the top of the order. He has a special role to perform and will have to be aware of his strengths and limitations.
Match Prediction
PBKS appear to be down in the dumps after their loss to RCB, and very little suggests they will try to spark a fightback in this game. LSG are the favourites, and we expect them to win comfortably. The conditions and home supporters will rally together to help LSG in this game.