IPL 2022: Match 15 – Predicted Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI vs Delhi Capitals

After winning two contests in a row, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will take on a strong-looking Delhi Capitals side in a group stage match to be played at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai. The encounter will take place on April 7 (Thursday).

The Lucknow-based franchise lost their opening encounter against the other new entrants Gujarat Titans by five wickets. However, they made a strong comeback in their very next match, defeating the defending champions Chennai Super Kings in thriller of a contest by six wickets.

In their third match of IPL 2022, LSG’s bowling unit stepped up to the task and defended a target of 170 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pacer Avesh Khan, who grabbed four wickets in that match, was adjudged the Player of the Match for his performance. Having registered an impressive win against SRH, LSG would be hoping to field the same XI against the Capitals.

Here’s a look at the Lucknow Super Giants predicted XI against DC

Openers: KL Rahul (c) and Quinton de Kock (wk)

Barring the first game, where the openers failed to make an impact, both KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock have scored runs for their team. The opening duo of Rahul and De Kock were excellent against the defending champions CSK in their second match of the season. The duo was involved in a 99-run opening stand in a chase of 211.

Even though De Kock could not get going against Sunrisers Hyderabad, skipper Rahul played a decent knock of 68 runs in just 50 balls. The dangerous duo will be seen opening together in an important encounter against the Capitals. It remains to be seen as to how the experienced openers tackle the DC bowling line-up.

Middle Order: Evin Lewis, Manish Pandey, Ayush Badoni

LSG’s middle order is a strong one, but barring youngster Ayush Badoni, other batters have failed to perform consistently. West Indian batter Evin Lewis played an excellent knock against CSK and was adjudged the Player of the Match. However, he failed to repeat his performance in the previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Similarly, Manish Pandey is yet to fire for LSG.

Even though LSG have won two out of their three matches, the team management would want to give one last chance to Manish Pandey to prove his worth. Similarly, Lewis would also want to perform consistently, just like his young teammate Badoni, who has been excellent so far for his franchise.

All-rounders: Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, and Jason Holder

Indian all-rounder Deepak Hooda, along with his former Baroda teammate Krunal Pandya, has been giving some vital performances for the franchise in their previous encounters. Hooda played a superb knock of 51 against SRH and stitched an excellent partnership with the franchise skipper KL Rahul to bail out their team from a tricky situation.

Similarly, Krunal managed to scalp two crucial wickets for his side and only gave 27 runs in his four overs against SRH. However, he could not fire with the bat, scoring only six runs. All-rounder Jason Holder, who scalped three vital wickets for his side and remained unbeaten with the bat scoring eight off just three balls is also expected to keep his place in the team.

Bowlers: Andrew Tye, Ravi Bishnoi, and, Avesh Khan

Pacer Avesh Khan gave justice to his price tag of INR 10 crore, as he was named player of the match against SRH in last encounter. The right-arm pacer scalped four crucial wickets for his side and gave away just 24 runs in his four-over quota. Khan scalped some big wickets, including Kane Williamson, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad and Abhishek Sharma.

Meanwhile, spinner Ravi Bishnoi did not manage to get any wickets though he was economical in his spell. The 21-year-old gave away only 29 runs in his four-over quota. Australian pacer Andrew Tye did not perform up to expectations. However, given his wicket-taking abilities, the pacer is also expected to retain his spot in the playing XI.

LSG’s predicted playing XI for DC clash :KL Rahul (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Manish Pandey, Evin Lewis, Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder, Ravi Bishnoi, Andrew Tye, Avesh Khan