Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in match number 45 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, May 3. This will be the first match of the double-header. Lucknow are third in the points table with five wins and four losses from nine games. However, they went down to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 18 runs in their last, coming up with a very disappointing batting performance. Chennai are fourth. They also have 10 points from nine games but are below LSG on the net run rate. Here are five player battles for LSG vs CSK match 45.
1. Kyle Mayers vs Tushar Deshpande
Kyle Mayers was dismissed for a duck in LSG’s match against RCB. With KL Rahul also unable to open due to injury, Lucknow suffered in a big way and ended up on the losing side in a gettable chase. Mayers has been excellent for the team in IPL 2023, having cracked four fifties in nine matches at a strike rate of 158.82.
CSK pacer Tushar Deshpande has gone for a few runs but has also picked up key wickets. After nine matches, he has an impressive haul of 17 scalps at an average of 21.71 and an economy rate of 11.07. Can he dismiss Mayers cheaply?
2. Devon Conway vs Avesh Khan
CSK opener Devon Conway has been exceptional with the bat. He has smashed five fifty-plus scores in his last six innings. Against Punjab Kings, he returned unbeaten on 92 off 52 balls. Although the innings went in a losing cause, it was a brilliant one nonetheless.
LSG pacer Avesh Khan has had an inconsistent run in the competition so far. He was brilliant with figures of 3/25 in the clash against Rajasthan Royals. However, in the last two matches, he has gone wicketless. Avesh will need to be in rhythm to counter Conway.
3. Marcus Stoinis vs Maheesh Theekshana
Marcus Stoinis has played a couple of spectacular knocks for LSG in IPL 2023. He smashed 65 against RCB in the first half of the league stage. In a recent game against Punjab Kings (PBKS), his whirlwind 72 lifted LSG to the second-highest IPL total of 257.
Maheesh Theekshana is someone who likes taking on a big challenge. He prides himself on outfoxing the batter with his variations. He has already got a few impressive scalps. Stoinis would undoubtedly look to attack him. Will Theekshana allow him to succeed?
4. Ajinkya Rahane vs Ravi Bishnoi
Ajinkya Rahane has been CSK’s unexpected X-factor in IPL 2023. After warming up with a couple of 30s, he scored a superb 71 not out off 29 balls in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders. Having found a different kind of rhythm in his batting, Rahane will be keen to keep going.
LSG leggie Ravi Bishnoi’s tussle with Rahane could make for interesting viewing. The CSK batter has had his struggles against slow bowlers in the past. But his confidence would be of a different level as of now. Can Bishnoi find a way to stop the Chennai batter’s dominance?
5. Nicholas Pooran vs Matheesha Pathirana
It has been all or nothing for LSG batter Nicholas Pooran in the last few matches. After clubbing 45 off 19 against Punjab, he was out for 9 in the last match against RCB and was part of a batting collapse. The way the tournament has been going for him suggests another good knock is about to come from his bat.
It must be said that CSK fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has been unlucky with the ball in IPL 2023. He has bowled some fantastic yorkers, but a few of those deliveries have found the edges and have gone for boundaries. The young Sri Lankan, though, has impressed with his attitude. Can he stop a Pooran onslaught at the death?