IPL 2022: Match 63 – Predicted Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI vs Rajasthan Royals

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have eight victories in 12 league matches and are currently at second position in the IPL 2022 points table. Although they were on the right track, Giants lost their last league fixture by 62 runs against Gujarat Titans (GT). Although the bowlers did well to restrict the opposition to 144, it was a disappointing performance by the batters that led to their collapse in their last game.

In their next league game, they will face Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 15 at Brabourne Stadium and will look to come up with much better performances. The out-of-form Ayush Badoni might be left out of the team and Manish Pandey can make his way into the team for this game.

Here’s a look at the Lucknow Super Giants predicted playing XI against RR:

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

The proven performers in the shortest format of the game have done well on most occasions in the tournament. However, they have not been clicking as a combined unit in the last few games and would look to improve on that aspect in the next game.

Captain KL Rahul has 459 runs in 12 league matches at an average of 45.90, with two centuries and two fifties. However, his scores in the last two innings are read as 8 and 0, he would wish to come back to proper form in order to secure a much-needed victory for the team.

The wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock is having an average season according to his standards. So far, he has garnered 355 runs at an average of 29.58, comprising three fifties. In the last league game, he was dismissed for a score of 11 off 10 balls.

Middle Order: Marcus Stoinis, Manish Pandey and Karan Sharma

One of the weak areas of the LSG team has been the lack of contributions coming from the batters in the middle order. The experienced Aussie batter Marcus Stoinis has been inconsistent with his contributions in the last couple of matches. In the last game, he was run out on a score of two.

In eight league games, Stoinis has scored 120 runs at an average of 20 and would look to provide a late flourish to the team in the games ahead. On the other hand, Ayush Badoni started the season in a fine fashion but his form has slumped as well. In place of him, Manish Pandey is expected to earn a place in the playing XI.

In 6 appearances, Pandey has 88 runs to his name at an average of 14.66 and a strike rate of 110. Although he has been disappointing with his performances, the 32-year batter can be preferred for this spot due to his experience and track record. In the last game, another youngster, Karan Sharma found a place in the XI and is likely to retain his place despite being dismissed for just four runs.

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

This department contains a lot of T20 experience under its belt and has been a key force to the team in terms of securing victories. The best performer among the three players has been Deepak Hooda, who has looked confident after his India stint and has revived the team from troubles and steered the team in a fine fashion.

In 12 outings, Hooda has garnered 347 runs at a strike rate of 130.94, with three half-centuries. In the last game, he was the top run-scorer for the team with 27 off 26 balls. On the other hand, Krunal Pandya has been impressive with his variations with the ball and has picked up nine wickets at an economy of 6.56 and has scored 158 runs with the bat as well.

The Caribbean all-rounder Jason Holder has delivered well with the ball to take 13 wickets in 10 games at an economy of 9.40. He has got limited opportunities with the bat and has contributed only 57 runs.

Bowlers: Dushmantha Chameera, Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan

The pace bowling unit of LSG has been terrific with their line and lengths, variations and bounce. The Lankan seamer Dushmantha Chameera has been impactful with his performances in the powerplay overs. So far, he has nine wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 7.97.

The youngster Mohsin Khan has picked up a total of ten wickets in six league matches and has been one of the key reasons for the team’s victory in the second half of the tournament. In the last game, he finished with figures of 1/18 in four overs.

The second-highest wicket-taker in the last edition, Avesh Khan has continued his good form in this season as well. In 10 appearances, he has scalped 16 wickets at an economy of 7.96. In the last outing, he picked up two wickets and gave away 26 runs off his four overs.

LSG’s predicted playing XI for the RR clash: Quinton de Kock (wk), KL Rahul (c), Deepak Hooda, Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Karan Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan.