LSG has started IPL 2023 off with a bang, winning two out of their three matches. Despite the loss to CSK in their away fixture, they still lead the table due to their impressive net run rate. The LSG’s two wins at the Ekana Cricket Stadium make it seem likely that they can turn it into a fortress in this tournament. Here are three reasons why:
1) The spinner-friendly ground dimensions and pitch
The Lucknow Super Giants have a formidable spin attack in Ravi Bishnoi, Krunal Pandya, Amit Mishra, and Krishnappa Gowtham. Each bowler has a distinct bowling style, providing great variety to the team. The pitches at their home ground have proven favorable to spinners, with a sharp turn and uneven bounce aiding their efforts. This season, the Lucknow spinners have taken 8 wickets for 111 runs in 20 overs, with an average of 14 and an economy of just 5.50 runs per over.
2) Removes the toss factor
The Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has been an exception to the norm of a toss-decided advantage. Of the six matches played in this venue, the team winning the toss has only won twice. Interestingly, batting first has proven to be more advantageous for teams here – something not often seen in other T20I venues in Asia. Thanks to this level playing field, LSG can plan correctly for the conditions and settle on a strong playing XI.
3) Low average scores mask LSG’s death bowling frailties
The Lucknow Super Giants have put together a strong start to the season with wins in two of their three games. However, their pace attack has been challenged when it comes to the crunch of the final overs. Mark Wood, Avesh Khan, Jaydev Unadkat, and Yash Thakur provide them with various styles and speeds, though they lack a specialist death-over bowler who can be expensive at times, most notably in the match against Chennai Super Kings. The low-scoring nature of the Lucknow pitch masks this issue, as the spinners usually take wickets in the run-up to the end overs. The two-paced and uneven pitch and the wider ground size allow their pace bowlers to use the slower deliveries to their advantage at home.
