IPL 2024: 3 changes Lucknow Super Giants should make to get back to winning ways

In the 57th game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squared off with the hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. On a sluggish surface, the visitors opted to bat first in the hope of making better use of the pitch with the ball in the second half.

However, it was a poor start from the Lucknow Super Giants as they could only muster 27 runs during the powerplay overs. Skipper KL Rahul had a dismal outing with the bat as he scored 29 runs from 33 balls. The side seemed to be struggling having lost four wickets at just 66 runs after 11 overs. But a much-need partnership between Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni took the side to a fighting total of 165 after their 20 overs. 

In reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad openers reminded everyone what they are capable of as they smashed all the bowlers during the powerplay. They were able to notch up 107 runs inside six overs with both batters completing their fifty in no time. The openers were unstoppable today as they chased down the total inside 9.4 overs to boost their net run rate. 

Here are the three changes Lucknow Super Giants should ponder over to bounce back:

3. Replace QDK with Kyle Mayers

Lucknow Super Giants drafted Quinton de Kock back into the playing XI at the expense of youngster Arshin Kulkarni. However, the opener could not do much with the bat as he struggled to time the ball and play his shots. The Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers were all over him as the South African batter scored just two runs today.

After such a poor innings, the team management have a decision to make as they intend to make the play-offs. Kyle Mayers had a great campaign while opening last season for the franchise but has not yet played a game for the team this season. This might be the right time for the franchise to draft the West Indies batter in the playing XI.

2. Promote Ayush Badoni to number four

Today, Ayush Badoni was the only one who had a great performance with the bat as he notched up a well-deserved fifty. He came to bat at a crucial time with his side reeling after the loss of four wickets and the batter took the initiative to take the innings forward. His amazing performance with the bat helped the side reach a fighting total at least. 

This performance might surely prompt the Lucknow Super Giants to promote the young batter in the batting order. They still don’t have a fixed batting order and with only a couple of games remaining for them, the decision to promote Badoni might turn out to be significant for the franchise.

1. Start Manimaran Siddharth

It was a surprise that Lucknow Super Giants and KL Rahul decided to start Krishnappa Gowtham today. There was no apparent reason given by the skipper for bringing in the bowling all-rounder into the team. However, that move did not pay off well for the franchise as he conceded 27 runs inside two overs and the opposition batters got the momentum for the chase during his spell.

Following this poor outing, the team might look to bring back Manimaran Siddharth into the playing XI as the spinner had a remarkable time during the few games he started this season. He even scalped the prized wicket of Virat Kohli in one of the earlier games and has the ability to trouble the batter with the variations he possesses.