Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) clashes with Rajasthan Royals (RR) tomorrow. It’s match forty-four, IPL 2024. The battle will rage at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. Both teams gear up for an intense faceoff on Saturday, April 27.
This encounter marks the second time these teams will face each other this season. Previously, Rajasthan secured a 20-run victory over Lucknow at Sawai Mansingh Stadium earlier in the tournament.
RR accumulated 193 runs in their 20 allotted overs. The captain, Sanju Samson, starred with a blistering unbeaten 82 off just 52 balls. Meanwhile, Riyan Parag contributed a quickfire 43 from 29 deliveries.
Naveen-ul-Haq claimed a couple of wickets. Mohsin Khan and Ravi Bishnoi chipped in with a wicket each. LSG’s batting line-up faltered during their chase of the target. Nicholas Pooran top-scored with an unbeaten 64 off 41 balls, while KL Rahul made 58 from 44 deliveries.
Trent Boult was top bowler for Rajasthan Royals. He had great bowling numbers: 4 overs, 35 runs, 2 wickets. Rajasthan also beats Lucknow Super Giants in head-to-head matches. They’ve won 3 out of 4 games against LSG.
Rajasthan has been the team to beat in IPL 2024 so far. With 7 wins from 8 matches, they lead the points table. Lucknow has won 5 out of 8 games and is placed 4th. A win here against Rajasthan would lift Lucknow to 2nd position.
Think – a victory against Rajasthan here will lift Lucknow to 2nd place. That noted, we’ll look at 3 key match-ups. They could greatly impact LSG vs RR’s outcome.
1. Marcus Stoinis (LSG) vs Yuzvendra Chahal (RR)
In the previous match versus Chennai Super Kings, Marcus Stoinis amazed everyone with his batting skills. Promoted to number three, the versatile cricketer struck an astonishing century. This spectacular knock enabled his team to chase 211 runs, finishing with six wickets remaining.
Stoinis stayed not out on 124 runs from merely 63 deliveries. He smashed six towering sixes and thirteen blazing boundaries throughout his awe-inspiring innings. The dashing batsman’s batting heroics stole the limelight, propelling his side to a resounding victory.
However, the Australian has failed to generate traction against spinners. Spin bowlers have dismissed him five times in seven innings during the IPL 2024 season.
RR may opt for Yuzvendra Chahal against Stoinis. The skilled leg spinner leads wicket-takers for Rajasthan this season with 13 wickets in eight innings at economy rate 8.38.
2. Jos Buttler (RR) vs Ravi Bishnoi (LSG)
Bishnoi from Lucknow is a leg spinner. He has got five wickets. Bishnoi has played eight matches. His economy rate is 8.47. The young spinner could improve in the second half. He aims to be in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup team.
Dismissing Rajasthan’s opener Jos Buttler would boost Bishnoi’s morale. Buttler has scored 285 runs in seven matches so far. He has struck two brilliant centuries this season.
However, while facing leg spinners, the top batter’s strike rate lowers to 132.66. Despite the tiny sample size, he has failed to dominate Bishnoi in the IPL thus far, scoring only 14 runs off 15 balls.
3. Nicholas Pooran (LSG) vs Ravichandran Ashwin (RR)
Nicholas Pooran has wowed fans with great batting for Lucknow. The lefty has scored 280 runs at a high strike rate of 169.69 this year.
Pooran must hit big for LSG in the middle and late overs. But RR’s Ravichandran Ashwin could give him trouble.
Ashwin has just 1 wicket in IPL 2024, but he often fools left-handers. The off-spinner has conceded just 25 runs off as many balls against Pooran in IPL games. He has also dismissed Pooran once before.
