Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will take on Gujarat Titans (GT) in match number 30 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, April 22. This will be the first game of the double-header. LSG are second in the points table with four wins and two losses from six games. They beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 10 runs in their previous match. GT are fourth with three wins and two losses. They went down to RR by three wickets in their last match. Here are player battles for LSG vs GT IPL 2023 match 30.
1. KL Rahul vs Mohammed Shami
LSG skipper KL Rahul followed his half-century with 39 off 32 against RR. The knock included four fours and a six. While Rahul looked good during his stay at the crease, his strike rate of 121.43 was questioned again. Despite LSG’s win in the last game, Rahul’s batting will remain under the scanner.
Rahul vs Mohammed Shami can be a fascinating contest. The GT lead pacer has constantly struck early blows. In the last match against RR, Shami was the team’s best bowler with figures of 3/25. He dismissed Jos Buttler for a duck. Can he also get rid of Rahul cheaply?
2. Shubman Gill vs Naveen-ul-Haq
GT opener Shubman Gill has continued his impressive run with the bat in the IPL. He has registered scores of 63, 14, 39, 67 and 45. Gill will again look to get the team off to a solid start. If he is out in the middle for a decent amount of time, GT does well more often than not.
Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq played his first match for Lucknow Super Giants against RR. Although he did not claim a wicket, he tied up the opposition batters, giving away 19 runs in his four overs. Naveen-ul-Haq thus played his part in the team’s win. Can he frustrate Gill into a false stroke?
3. Nicholas Pooran vs Rashid Khan
LSG finisher Nicholas Pooran has been excellent for the team in the death overs. He has come into play in the second half of the innings and has easily taken on the bowling. Pooran has a strike rate of 200 in IPL 2023 and has failed only once. Undoubtedly, he would want to continue the great batting rhythm.
GT leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been among the wickets yet again. He got the scalps of Devdutt Padikkal and Riyan Parag against RR. However, Sanju Samson went after him, striking him for three consecutive sixes. Pooran is also someone who can do something similar, but Rashid would want to strike back like a wounded tiger.
4. Hardik Pandya vs Ravi Bishnoi
GT skipper Hardik Pandya has not been in great form in IPL 2023. He looked good in the match against RR, scoring 28 off 19 balls. He slammed three fours and a six before perishing to Yuzvendra Chahal. Having found some rhythm, Pandya will be keen to score bigger on the board.
LSG leggie Ravi Bishnoi has excelled with the ball in the ongoing season. He has been among the wickets constantly, keeping his team in the hunt. Bishnoi went wicketless against RR but conceded only 25 runs in his four overs. Can he thwart the Pandya challenge?
5. David Miller vs Avesh Khan
David Miller top-scored for GT with 46 off 30 against Rajasthan. His fine knock included three fours and two sixes. The left-hander has carried on from where he left off last year, although he has been comparatively more subdued this season. Can he come up with a typical blazing knock?
LSG pacer Avesh Khan was outstanding in his team’s win over RR. He claimed 3/25, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel. Avesh was brilliant at the death, ensuring a memorable win for Lucknow. Can he prevent Miller from going on the rampage?