IPL 2022: Match 42 – Predicted Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI vs Punjab Kings

The new entrants Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will take on the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their next group stage encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Mumbai on April 29 (Friday). It is going to be an exciting contest between two teams having some powerful batters in their squad.

LSG is currently placed fourth on the points table with five wins in eight matches. The new entrants have so far beaten Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Mumbai Indians (MI). However, they have lost their contest against Gujarat Titans (GT), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Coming to the contest after beating MI for the second time, LSG will be riding high on confidence and will want to emulate their performance in the upcoming encounter against PBKS. LSG pacer Avesh Khan who missed out in the previous encounter after suffering from a niggle can make a comeback to the team if he is fully fit.

Here’s a look at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) predicted XI against Punjab Kings (PBKS)

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

Skipper KL Rahul has been in some excellent touch having scored two centuries in the tournament. The right-handed batter stroked his last century against the five-time champions in the previous match. Rahul has so far amassed 368 runs at an average of 61.33 and will look to continue his good form with the bat.

Rahul’s partner, Quinton de Kock has blown hot and cold in the tournament.  The wicketkeeper-batter has stroked 225 runs from eight matches including two half-centuries with his highest score being 80. The left-handed batter is experienced and will want to score runs more consistently for his new franchise.

Middle-Order: Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, and Ayush Badoni

LSG middle-order has not been performing well in the tournament. Indian batter Manish Pandey has got some starts but has not managed to convert them. The right-handed batter stroked just 88 runs from six games with his highest score being 38. Similarly, Ayush Badoni after giving some vital performances during the early stages has failed to get going in the past few matches.

Barring his last outing, batter Deepak Hooda has been impressive this season, having scored 193 runs at a strike rate close to 130 and including a couple of half-centuries. The right-handed batter will want to continue his consistent form with the bat and also put his name forward for the ICC T20 World Cup to be played later in the year.

All-Rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, and Jason Holder

Australian big unit Marcus Stoinis has not been able to scalp any wickets in the tournament, but he has played some excellent knocks with the bat. However, the right-handed batter failed to open his account in the previous encounter against MI and will want to make a strong comeback in his next outing against the PBKS.

Left-handed batter Krunal Pandya, on the other hand, has scored 112 runs including three not-outs, and has already scalped seven wickets to his tally. The 31-year-old has been the silent performer for his side and will want to take some crucial wickets against the strong-looking batting line-up of the Kings. Similarly, West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder has not been to score runs but has managed to bowl some tight lines.

Bowlers: Dushmantha Chameera, Mohsin Khan, and Ravi Bishnoi

Even though he did not get any wickets, pacer Dushmantha Chameera was one of the key bowlers for Lucknow in the last game against MI with figures of 0/14 in his four-over quota. The right-arm pacer can rattle the opposition with the new ball in hand along with his well-disguised yorkers. Similarly, young pacer Mohsin Khan who replaced his teammate Avesh Khan was also impressive.

The 23-year-old grabbed the wicket of Dewald Brevis and gave away only 27 runs in his four-over quota. However, he will have to make way for Avesh Khan if the latter is match fit. Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi managed to grab only one wicket in his previous match and gave away 28 runs in his three overs.  The youngster who has six wickets so far would now be looking forward to adding more to his tally against PBKS.

Here’s the Predicted Playing XI of LSG:

KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Manish Pandey, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder, Dushmantha Chameera, Avesh Khan/Mohsin Khan, Ravi Bishnoi