IPL 2024, Match 34: Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings Match Preview

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cross swords in match 34 of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 on Friday, April 19 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Lucknow have had a topsy-turvy campaign so far in IPL 2024. They started with a loss before winning three games on the trot. However, they have faced defeats in their last two matches and would be desperate to get back to winning ways on Friday. Meanwhile, the Super Kings won their first couple of games before losing the next two. However, they returned to winning ways and are coming into this encounter on the back of two consecutive wins.

For Lucknow, Nicholas Pooran has been the highest run-getter this season, having amassed 223 runs from six matches at a staggering average of 74.33 and a strike rate of 161.59. He has hit 10 fours and 19 sixes so far in the campaign.

Meanwhile, LSG skipper KL Rahul, who has been one of the most consistent batters in the recent years of the tournament, has managed to notch up only one half-century. He got off to brisk starts in the last two games but couldn't build on it. His fellow opening partner scored two fifties in the first three matches but has just aggregated 35 runs in the next three. Marcus Stoinis has also failed to impress barring one good knock against Gujarat Titans.

The bowling department has seen some good performances from uncapped Indian pacers like Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur, and Mayank Yadav. However, Ravi Bishnoi has been a huge disappointment. The talented leg-spinner has just picked up four wickets in six games at an average of 36.50. LSG fans will want Bishnoi to fire as he has the ability to pick wickets in clusters through the middle overs.

In their last game, Lucknow failed to defend a total of over 160 runs for the first time as Delhi Capitals chased down a 168-run target with consummate ease on the tricky Ekana surface. Rishabh Pant and Co. won by six wickets with 11 balls to spare.

Shivam Dube has been the best batter on show this season for the Super Kings. The southpaw has scored 242 runs from six matches at an average of 60.50 and a strike rate of 163.51. New skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad did not get off to a great start in IPL 2024 but in his last two games, he has scored fifties and that should give him a lot of confidence. MS Dhoni has played a couple of excellent cameos down the order but there is very little chance of him coming to bat earlier. The talismanic wicketkeeper-batter is yet to be dismissed in the tournament and boasts a strike rate of 236.

On the bowling front, Mustafizur Rahman and Matheesha Pathirana have been lethal. The former has bagged 10 wickets from five games at 18.30. On the other hand, the young Sri Lankan speedster has picked up eight wickets form just three games at 11.

Chennai are coming off a memorable 20-run win against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians. After putting up a total of 206/4 in their 20 overs, CSK restricted Hardik Pandya's men to 186/6 as Rohit Sharma's sparkling century went in vain.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Points Table

Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Conditions

The Ekana Cricket Stadium usually doesn't provide the easiest of surfaces to bat on. Batters need to grind hard during their time at the crease. Three games have been played so far at this venue in IPL 2024. Two out of the three games have been won by teams batting first. The average first-innings score is 176. Only once has a total in excess of 160 has been chased down at this venue and it happened in the last game between Lucknow and Delhi.

Click Here: LSG vs CSK Live Score, Match 34

Probable Playing XI

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG):

Mayank Yadav missed the last couple of games due to injury but he was seen practicing ahead of Friday's clash and there is a good chance of him making a much-awaited return. He won two Player of the Match awards in his first two matches in IPL 2024 and impressed everyone with his pace and accuracy. He could come into the playing XI in place of Shamar Joseph, who didn't have a great start to his IPL career in the last game. The rest of the squad should remain unchanged.

Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (C & WK), Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Yash Thakur

Impact Player: Arshad Khan

Also Check: IPL 2024 Schedule

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

The defending champions are not known for chopping and changing too much midway through a season. They have no injury concerns and should be able to field the same side which played against Mumbai Indians in the last game.

Predicted XI: Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sameer Rizvi, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (WK), Mustafizur Rahman, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande

Impact Player: Matheesha Pathirana

LSG vs CSK Head-to-Head Record