IPL 2024: Can LSG break RR's winning streak?
Lucknow Super Giants host table-toppers Rajasthan Royals in Match 44 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Having won seven of their eight games, RR can almost seal the playoff berth with another win. LSG have also done well, clinching five of their eight fixtures. They successfully chased down 211 against CSK in their preceding outing. Here is the preview.
Pitch report, conditions, and streaming details
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.
A look at head-to-head record
The two sides have clashed in only four games since LSG were one of the two newly-introduced sides in IPL 2022. RR hold an upper edge with the head-to-head record being 3-1 in their favor. They thrashed the Super Giants by 20 runs earlier this season as Sanju Samson starred with an unbeaten 52-ball 82. Nicholas Pooran's 64* went in vain.
An enticing battle on the cards
RR have hardly put a foot wrong as their top-four batters have been among massive runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal's return to form is a massive bonus. Their bowlers have also not let batters breathe easy. Meanwhile, LSG have made great use of their resources though speedster Mayank Yadav's absence in recent games hut them a bit. Rahul's captaincy has been spot on.
Here are the probable XIs
LSG (Probable XI): Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (c, wk), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Matt Henry, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur. Impact sub: Devdutt Padikkal. RR (Probable XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c, wk), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal. Impact sub: Jos Buttler.
Here are the key performers
Pooran has been striking at 169.69 in IPL 2024. He averages 70. Marcus Stoinis made a historic 124* in his last outing, against CSK. Both Riyan Parag and Samson boast averages and strike rates of over 50 and 150, respectively, this year. With 13 scalps at 20.38, Yuzvendra Chahal is the joint-leading wicket-taker in IPL 2024.
