IPL 2023: Match 51, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Predicted Playing XI vs Gujarat Titans

After sharing a solitary point with CSK in a rain-affected game, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will look to come all guns blazing in their next assignment against the defending champions, Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 7 in Ahmedabad.

The two teams have played three matches thus far in the IPL, however, Hardik Pandya and Co. have always stamped their authority against Lucknow on each occasion. The Titans will look to complete a double over LSG as they won their first meeting on April 22. 

Hardik Pandya’s Titans sit atop the IPL Points Table with 14 points, courtesy of seven wins in 10 outings. On the other hand, Lucknow are placed second with 11 points and will be raring to give the defending champions, a run for their money as they square off at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Here’s Lucknow Super Giants’ predicted XI against Gujarat Titans:

Openers: Manan Vohra, Kyle Mayers

Playing his first match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Manan Vohra could only manage 10 runs before getting dismissed. Considering that regular skipper KL Rahul will miss the entirety of the tournament owing to an injury, Vohra will need to step up and deliver the goods at the top.

Of the 10 matches played thus far, Caribbean hitter Kyle Mayers has got 311 runs with four half-centuries and a decent average of 31.10. However, the batter will need to up the ante and help lay solid foundations for the rest of the unit to capitalize upon.

Middle Order: Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ayush Badoni, Deepak Hooda

On certain occasions, Nicholas Pooran has been able to display his lethal best which has taken the rival teams by storm. Maintaining a terrific strike rate of 164.43, the Caribbean southpaw has collected 245 runs in 10 matches and will be gunning to play big innings in the forthcoming matches.

Prior to the rain gods making their presence felt in Lucknow, it was Ayush Badoni who helped inject some momentum in LSG’s batting innings against CSK. The 23-year-old batter remained unbeaten and hammered a 33-ball 59 with four sixes and two fours on a slow surface. He will be vying to play a similar innings against the defending champions and help get his side ahead in the match.

After failing to impress on his IPL debut, Karan Sharma is likely to be replaced by Deepak Hooda in the forthcoming match against the Titans. However, Hooda himself has failed to hit the ground running and is enduring a rough patch with the bat. The side will pin their hopes on the all-rounder and expect him to find his rhythm.

All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya (c), Krishnappa Gowtham

The Aussie all-rounder Marcus Stoinis failed to play big knocks in the last two games, against CSK and RCB, as he compiled scores of six and 13 runs respectively. On the other hand, stand-in skipper Krunal Pandya has been unable to get the big runs on a consistent basis, coming down the order. 

Despite this, the think tank will continue to bank on the all-rounder pair as they have shown glimpses of what they are capable of and can change the complexion of the match, both with the ball and bat. Stoinis and Krunal will be aiming to have an improved outing against Gujarat in their next match.

Krishnappa Gowtham returned to the setup against RCB, getting one scalp with the ball and scoring 23 runs. However, he will need to push for the big runs coming in the middle-order and produce some noteworthy performances to cement his place in the team.

Bowlers: Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan

The LSG bowling unit did not get a chance to bowl to CSK due to incessant rain washing out the game in Lucknow. However, in the game before that, Naveen-ul-Haq relished a fabulous outing against RCB as he gave just 30 runs in his four overs at a decent economy of 7.50 and two scalps to his name.

Much like Naveen, spinner Ravi Bishnoi proved to be instrumental in restricting the rival team. Bishnoi concluded with a stunning economy of 5.25 in his four overs and got two wickets. Meanwhile, Mohsin Khan was to play his first game of the season against CSK, however, the pacer did not get a chance thanks to rain. The think tank will back him n the upcoming game against the Titans as the pacer would be gunning to get some wickets for his side. 

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Probable Playing 11:

Kyle Mayers, Manan Vohra, Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Krunal Pandya (c), Krishnappa Gowtham, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Probable Impact Players:

Yudhvir Singh Charak, Karun Nair, Prerak Mankad, Avesh Khan, Karan Sharma