IPL 2023, RR vs LSG: Decoding the key player battles
Match 44 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) will see Lucknow Super Giants host table-toppers Rajasthan Royals. RR, who own seven wins in eight outings, can almost seal the playoff berth with another win. LSG have also been impressive, clinching five of their eight fixtures. However, RR thrashed the Super Giants by 20 runs earlier this season Let's decode the key player battles.
Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Matt Henry
Fresh from a match-winning hundred against Mumbai Indians, Yashasvi Jaiswal won't mind notching another big score. The young southpaw needs to negotiate the Matt Henry threat in the powerplay overs. As per ESPNcricinfo, the latter has a powerplay economy of 6.14 across nine T20 innings this year (3 wickets). Jaiswal's strike rate in this phase in IPL 2024 reads 152.80.
Sanju Samson vs Ravi Bishnoi
Sanju Samson has led RR from the front, having played one substantial knock after another. His ability to go big against spinners makes his battle with Ravi Bishnoi enticing. Samson has scored 60 runs from 40 balls across six IPL meetings against the leg-spinner at a brilliant strike of 150. Bishnoi has not been able to dismiss the RR star even once.
KL Rahul vs Trent Boult
KL Rahul has blown hot and cold in IPL 2023, and he would look to bring that consistency to his game. However, in his way would be Trent Boult in the powerplay. Both players have met each other 10 times in the IPL, and Rahul has scored 92 runs at a strike rate of 148.38. Boult got the better of him twice.
Nicholas Pooran vs Yuzvendra Chahal
Nicholas Pooran has been on a roll in IPL 2023. But he will be up against RR's trickster Yuzvendra Chahal, who is the joint-leading wicket-taker this season (13 scalps). Pooran and Chahal have crossed swords five times in the IPL, and the former has scored 33 runs off 25 balls (SR: 132). The leggie has dismissed him once and conceded three sixes.
Key details about the match
Lucknow's Ekana Cricket Stadium will host this duel on April 27 (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.
