Match 54 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 pits Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday. Led by Shreyas Iyer, Kolkata Knight Riders beat Mumbai Indians by 24 runs in their last outing and are currently placed second in the standings with 14 points from 10 games after seven wins and three losses. Hosts Lucknow Super Giants, on the other hand, find themselves in third spot with 12 points after claiming six wins and suffering four losses.
Ahead of LSG’s clash with KKR in Lucknow, let’s have a look at the predicted XIs of both sides for this fixture.
LSG Predicted XI
Quinton de Kock
Hard-hitting batter Quinton de Kock has had a decent run this season. He has scored 236 runs in nine matches, including three fifty-plus scores. The Proteas cricketer will be eager to hammer KKR’s bowlers at home.
KL Rahul (captain and wicketkeeper)
LSG captain KL Rahul has smashed 406 runs in 10 matches and has struck three half-centuries. Rahul will be keen to produce a quick-fire knock and guide LSG to a brisk start against KKR.
Marcus Stoinis
Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will add depth to LSG’s middle-order batting while also being a valuable asset to their fast-bowling unit. He has scored 316 runs and taken four wickets in 10 matches so far this season.
Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda hasn’t quite fired for LSG this season. The right-handed batter has managed to score 129 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 141.75. Hooda’s form will be crucial for LSG’s success against Kolkata.
Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran has been on song for Lucknow in IPL 2024. With 305 runs in 10 matches, Pooran is LSG’s one of the top scorers this season and boasts a remarkable average of 61 and a strike rate of 160.52.
Ayush Badoni
Ayush Badoni delivered an unbeaten 55 when his team needed him the most. Badoni and Arshad Khan established the highest eighth-wicket partnership in IPL history, scoring 73 runs against Delhi Capitals on April 12. He’ll need to maintain his form in this match as well.
Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya, known for his left-arm spin and aggressive hitting, adds balance to LSG’s lineup. He’s scored 74 runs and taken five wickets in 10 matches. Lucknow will require his services to tackle high-flying KKR.
Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi brings a potent spin-bowling alternative to LSG. So far, he has picked six wickets in 10 outings with an economy rate of 8.52. Bishnoi’s spin variations can help LSG make early breakthroughs against KKR.
Arshad Khan
Arshad Khan and Badoni formed the highest eighth-wicket partnership in IPL history, reaching 73 runs against DC. Arshad is a top-tier all-rounder who can provide depth to LSG’s batting.
Matt Henry
New Zealand speedster Matt Henry will most likely open the bowling for Lucknow against KKR. Known for his ability to swing the ball at good pace, Henry has bowled at an economy of 8.60 picking up one wicket in three matches so far.
Yash Thakur
Yash Thakur is currently the highest wicket-taker for LSG with 10 wickets in eight matches this year. His ability to take wickets in middle overs makes him an X-factor prodigy for the home side.
Impact sub
Mohsin Khan/Amit Mishra
KKR Predicted XI
Phil Salt
Englishman Phil Salt has been in spectacular form for KKR this season and has provided them with blitzkrieg starts as an opener. A destructive batter, Salt has made 397 runs in 10 IPL 2024 games with an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 180.45.
Sunil Narine
After a few lean IPL seasons with the bat, Sunil Narine has looked in splendid touch as a batter. Averaging at 38, he has smashed 380 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 179.24 this year. He’s also claimed 13 wickets in 10 games and is one of KKR’s go-to players this season.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi has looked good whenever he’s been out in the middle. In six innings in IPL 2024, Angkrish has scored 131 runs at a strike rate of 165.82 and also has a fifty to his name. He will be eager to make an impact once again and is a player to keep an eye on.
Shreyas Iyer
KKR captain Shreyas Iyer has had a topsy-turvy season but remains a crucial player for the team in the middle order. Iyer has scored 257 runs in 10 games at an average of 36.71 and will be raring to go against LSG.
Venkatesh Iyer
Even though he’s had limited time with the bat in the middle, Venkatesh Iyer has still managed to make two fifties this season. The southpaw has scored 224 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 142.67. Iyer’s match-winning 70 against Mumbai on Friday prevented KKR from a sudden collapse.
Rinku Singh
While Rinku Singh hasn’t set this IPL season alight like he has done in the past, the hard-hitting left-hander has managed to produce a few impactful cameos for the team. He has made 132 runs at a strike rate of 146.66 and will have a role to play as a finisher against Lucknow.
Andre Russell
A match-winner with both bat and ball, Andre Russell has produced impressive performances, having led KKR to multiple wins already this season. He has scored 186 runs in seven innings at an average of 37.20 and a brilliant strike rate of 189.79. Russell has also taken 11 wickets, making him one of KKR’s most important players.
Ramandeep Singh
All-rounder Ramandeep Singh has done well in his limited time at the crease. He’s scored his runs at a strike rate of 172.91 and is capable of chipping in with the ball, making him an integral member in the side.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc hasn’t been at his best in IPL 2024 and has conceded quite a few runs in nine games so far. His 11 wickets have come at a price but the fact that he has bowled in pressure circumstances cannot be overlooked. His match-defining four-wicket haul against MI was crucial for KKR on Friday.
Varun Chakravarthy
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been among the wickets in IPL 2024 having claimed 13 scalps so far. He’s performed relatively well against LSG in the past and will back himself to get the better of their batters come Sunday.
Harshit Rana
Fast bowler Harshit Rana seems to be having a decent IPL season so far. The right-arm pacer has scalped 11 wickets in seven innings and will be hoping to be at his best against LSG.
Impact Sub
Suyash Sharma/ Vaibhav Arora
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