IPL 2024, LSG to host KKR: Preview and stats
Match 54 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) will see the battle between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders. Both teams have been impressive this year and are on the right track to qualify for playoffs. Having played 10 games apiece, KKR have seven wins in comparison to LSG's six. Here we look at the match preview.
Pitch report, conditions, and streaming details
Lucknow's Ekana Cricket Stadium will host this duel on May 5 (7:30pm IST). This venue is known for its slow tracks. While the seamers cash in on the red-soil pitches, the black-soil decks support spinners. Notably, the latter makes the run-scoring difficult. Star Sports will telecast the match, and fans can also live-stream it on JioCinema for free.
Here is the H2H record
Since LSG made their IPL debut in IPL 2022, they have featured in only four matches in the competition against the Knights. While the Super Giants won the first three games in this rivalry, KKR broke the jinx with an eight-wicket triumph earlier in the season. Philip Salt (89*) and Mitchell Starc (3/28) starred in that duel.
Another thrilling battle on the cards
KKR have performed brilliantly as a unit. Sunil Narine's big hitting at the top has been the key to their success. Andre Russell has also been in delightful form. Meanwhile, LSG have also made great use of their resources. While batting has been their strength, their pace-bowling department has been a bit fragile. Notably, speedster Mayank Yadav is unlikely to take any further matches.
Here are the probable XIs
KKR (Probable XI): Philip Salt (wk), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy. Impact sub: Anukul Roy. LSG (Probable XI): KL Rahul (c & wk), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ashton Turner, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohsin Khan, Manimaran Siddharth. Impact sub: Quinton de Kock.
Here are the key performers
Narine has scored 380 runs this season (SR: 179.25). With the ball, Narine has collected 13 wickets at an economy of 6.72. Russell, who has been striking at 189.80 this year, also owns 11 wickets in IPL 2024. KL Rahul leads the run tally for LSG with 406 runs, striking at 142.96. Krunal Pandya has an economy rate of 7.2 this year.
