Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals clash in the third match of the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) at Lucknow’s Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1. Super Giants were impressive on their debut IPL season as they finished at number three on the points table with nine wins from 14 games. But they were knocked out by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator game by 14 runs while chasing a 200-plus total.
Super Giants put in all-round impressive performances last season with captain KL Rahul leading by example. Rahul scored 616 runs from 15 innings with two centuries and four fifties while Quinton de Kock and Deepak Hooda also scored crucial runs. In balling, Avesh Khan took 18 wickets while Mohsin Khan emerged as a surprise package with 14 wickets from nine innings at an economy rate of 5.96.
However, Mohsin has been ruled out of the tournament with an injury, which can be a big blow to Super Giants. Quinton will be missing the opening game due to his involvement in South Africa’s ongoing ODI series against Netherlands. Kyle Mayers is expected to open the innings with Rahul while Mark Wood, Avesh Khan, and new signing Jayadev Unadkat are likely to form a fresh pace attack.
Delhi Capitals struggled for consistency throughout the last IPL with just seven wins from 14 games. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh were impressive with the bat while Khaleel Ahmed and Kuldeep Yadav shone with the ball. Rishabh Pant is ruled out of the entire season as Sarfaraz Khan is expected to don wicketkeeping gloves, as he did for Mumbai in domestic cricket this season.
Capitals’ camp too has been hit with players’ unavailability for the opening game. Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and Mustafizur Rahman will be missing the opener due to national team duties. Yet, Capitals are likely to name a strong squad with Mitchell Marsh, Rilee Rossouw, and Axar Patel coming in with the backing of rich form. Chetan Sakaria is likely to start ahead of Kamlesh Nagarkoti to partner Khaleel and Aman Khan in the bowling front.
Pitch and Conditions
The pitch at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium offers a balanced surface for T20 cricket. The average first innings score here is 151 with teams batting first winning five of the six T20Is played here. Spinners are likely to get a few wickets as the game shifts to the middle overs but fans can expect a high-scoring affair on Saturday.
Probable Playing XIs for LSG vs DC
Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants will be forced to make some big changes to their preferred eleven with Quinton de Kock and Mohsin Khan missing. Mayers has a good opportunity to make a point in de Kock’s absence as he is expected to open with KL Rahul. Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran will be leading the middle order with Krunal Pandya being the spin all-rounder.
Wood, Avesh, and Unadkat form a quality pace attack but fans would be expecting an impactful performance from star spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who struggled last season.
Probable Playing XI: KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Mark Wood, Avesh Khan, Jaydev Unadkat, Ravi Bishnoi
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals are devoid of the services of three overseas players for the opening encounter but have quality backup options available to prevent any damage. Rilee Rossouw will be looking to continue his red-hot form and shine on his debut for Capitals. Rovman Powell and Sarfaraz Khan were decent in the middle order last season but need to contribute more if Capitals wish for a positive start to their IPL 2023 campaign.
Probable Playing XI: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner (c), Mitchell Marsh, Rilee Rossouw, Sarfaraz Khan (wk), Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Aman Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Chetan Sakaria, Khaleel Ahmed
LSG vs DC Head to Head
Played – 2 Lucknow Super Giants – 2