Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will host Rajasthan Royals (RR) in match 44 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. Led by captain KL Rahul, LSG will head into the game after beating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a high-scoring clash in Chennai. With five wins and three losses, LSG are currently placed fourth in the IPL 2024 standings with 10 points. On the other hand, the Sanju Samson-led RR have been the most dominant team in the IPL 2024 so far.

Having registered seven victories and suffered just a solitary defeat, RR are top of the IPL 2024 standings with 14 points.

Ahead of another crucial IPL 2024 clash, we look at the predicted XIs of both sides.

LSG Predicted XI

Quinton de Kock

LSG’s swashbuckling opening batter Quinton de Kock has scored 228 runs in eight games in IPL 2024. The southpaw has already slammed three fifties this season and will look to produce another big score against RR.

KL Rahul (captain/wicket-keeper)

Captain KL Rahul has led from the front for LSG this season. The stylish right-handed batter is LSG’s leading run-scorer in IPL 2024, having amassed 302 runs in eight matches with two fifties to his name. Rahul will aim to continue his scintillating form on Saturday.

Marcus Stoinis

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis produced a magnificent knock to help LSG chase down 211 against hosts CSK in their last game. Batting at No.3. Stoinis smashed unbeaten 124 off just 63 balls, laced with 13 fours and six maximums. He will look to contribute with both bat and ball, having scored 254 runs and bagged two wickets this season.

Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran has been one of the most consistent performers with the bat for LSG in IPL 2024. The explosive left-handed batter has accumulated 280 runs in eight matches at an average of 70 and a strike rate of 169.69. Pooran could be the game-changer for LSG against a quality RR bowling line-up.

Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda scored a match-winning cameo of 17 not out off just six balls to help LSG secure a memorable victory against CSK in Chennai. Batting at No.6, Hooda forged an incredible 55-run stand with Stoinis to power LSG to a brilliant win. He could once again play a key role against RR.

Ayush Badoni

Young Ayush Badoni has batted at different positions for LSG this season. The right-handed batter has scored 113 runs in eight games at a strike rate of 124.17. He will look to make another useful contribution on Saturday.

Krunal Pandya

Experienced Krunal Pandya is a key player for LSG with both bat and ball. The 33-year-old all-rounder has bagged five wickets and scored 58 runs in eight matches in IPL 2024. He could play a pivotal role with his all-round skills against an in-form Rajasthan outfit.

Matt Henry

LSG pacer Matt Henry produced a quality spell against CSK in a high-scoring encounter in their previous outing. The right-arm pacer dismissed Ajinkya Rahane to finish with figures of 4-0-28-1 and will look to provide early breakthroughs against a top-heavy RR batting line-up.

Ravi Bishnoi

LSG’s star leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has scalped five wickets in eight matches this season. Despite bowling at a decent economy rate of 8.47, LSG will expect more wickets from their talented spinner.

Mohsin Khan

Mohsin Khan has been one of the standout bowlers for LSG in IPL 2024. The 25-year-old left-arm pacer has already claimed seven wickets in five games at an average of 27.85 and will look to add to his wickets tally on Saturday.

Yash Thakur

Right-arm pacer Yash Thakur has been LSG’s leading wicket-taker this season. Thakur has already bagged nine wickets in seven matches at an average of 28.77 and will hold the key for LSG in the bowling department against the Royals.

Impact Sub

Mayank Yadav/Devdutt Padikkal

RR Predicted XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal

RR’s flamboyant opener Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to form with a match-winning century against Mumbai Indians in their last game. Chasing 180, Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 104 off just 60 balls to guide RR to a nine-wicket win in Jaipur and the southpaw will look to continue his form against LSG.

Jos Buttler

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s opening partner Jos Buttler has also been in scintillating form this season. Buttler has scored 285 runs in seven games at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 146.90, including a magnificent ton against KKR and he will aim to produce another big knock in Lucknow.

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson has been one of the standout performers for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 314 runs in eight games at an average of 62.80 and a strike rate of 152.42. He will need to continue his form to stake a claim in India’s T20 World Cup squad.

Riyan Parag

Young Riyan Parag has been the leading run-scorer for RR this season so far. Batting at No.4, Parag has accumulated 318 runs in eight matches at an average of 63.60 and a strike rate of 161.42. He will once again hold the key in the middle-order for the Royals and will hope to keep his position as RR’s top-scorer this season.

Dhruv Jurel

India international Dhruv Jurel is another quality inclusion in RR’s playing XI. The Indian youngster has scored 50 runs in five innings in IPL 2024. With RR’s top-order firing, Jurel has had limited opportunities and will look to impress in Lucknow.

Shimron Hetmyer

West Indies’ explosive batter Shimron Hetmyer has been one of the top finishers in T20 cricket. Hetmyer has scored 70 runs in limited opportunities at an impressive strike rate of 194.44. He will look to contribute against LSG if any opportunity arises.

Rovman Powell

West Indies’ T20I captain Rovman Powell is a match-winner on his day. The 30-year-old has played three matches for the Royals this season and also chipped in with some handy contributions. He is expected to retain his place in RR’s playing XI against LSG.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Veteran cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin can contribute with both bat and ball in the T20 format. However, Ashwin has picked up just a solitary wicket and scored 53 runs in seven matches this season. Ashwin will aim to bounce back with an all-round performance in Lucknow.

Trent Boult

RR’s star pacer Trent Boult has provided early breakthroughs for the Royals in IPL 2024 so far. The left-arm fast bowler has scalped nine wickets in eight matches at an economy of 7.46 and could trouble the LSG batting line-up on Saturday.

Avesh Khan

India’s Avesh Khan has been a wicket-taker for RR this season. The right-arm pacer has claimed eight wickets in just as many games at an economy of 9.41. Avesh could be crucial in the middle overs against LSG.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal has been the joint-leading wicket-taker in IPL 2024. The star leg-spinner has already bagged 13 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 8.83. He could once again be the wrecker-in-chief for the Royals in Lucknow.

Impact Sub

Sandeep Sharma