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

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have seven victories in 12 league matches and are currently at the third position in the IPL 2022 points table. They need another victory to confirm their qualification for the playoffs. In their last league game, the Royals could only score 160 and were also unable to defend it. It was an ordinary performance from both the departments and has a scope for improvement.

In their next league match, they will be up against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 15 at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. Although they are coming into this game on the back of a loss, they are still playing with their most balanced squad and are expected to play with the same combination.

Here’s a look at the Rajasthan Royals’ predicted playing XI against LSG:

Openers: Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal

The opening combination of RR was impressive in the last season with their respective contributions. They were rightfully retained ahead of the 2022 edition, but the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal has rather been average in the ongoing season. After an ordinary performance in the first three innings, he was dropped.

However, the southpaw returned and smashed 68 off 41 balls against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and was named Player of the Match as well. In the last league match, he scored 19 off 19 and would look to improve his performances going ahead.

On the other hand, the Englishman Jos Buttler has been terrific and is the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 625 runs at an average of 56.81, including three tons. However, he could only contribute seven runs off 11 balls in his last outing.

Middle-order: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal and Rassie Van der Dussen

Captain Sanju Samson has done well to provide contributions but has not been able to convert his starts into a big one, which has been his story for the most part of his career. In 12 matches, he has 327 runs at an average of 29.72, with two fifties.

The left-hand batter Devdutt Padikkal was shifted at number four to accommodate Jaiswal in the opening slot. This change has certainly brought the southpaw back into form as his recent two scores are read as 48 and 31.

The Proteas batter Rassie Van der Dussen has scored only 22 runs in three innings. In the last league game, he remained unbeaten on 12 off 10 balls. In the fixture against LSG, he is expected to bat up the order.

All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin and Riyan Parag

The spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been performing well in both departments of the game and is one of the best performers this season. In the last game, he came at number three and scored 50 off 38 balls. So far, he has accumulated 133 runs, which has been his highest contribution in a single edition of IPL.

With the ball in hand, Ashwin has been intelligent with his variations to put the opposition batters under pressure. In 12 appearances, he has scalped nine wickets at an economy of 7.25.

The youngster Riyan Parag has had an average season yet again, barring a crucial knock of 56* against RCB, which helped Royals to secure a victory in that game. In 12 matches, he has scored only 135 runs at a strike rate of 153.40.

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Sen

Although the bowling unit is quite talented, they have been under pressure in the last few games as they have been unable to affect dismissals in a consistent manner. The Kiwi pacer Trent Boult has to replicate his performance of the first half and would wish to pick up wickets in the powerplay overs.

Prasidh Krishna has delivered some fine performances but has not been at his best and has leaked runs on some occasions. In 12 matches, he has 13 scalps at an economy of 8.19. The uncapped pacer, Kuldeep Sen was impressive in the first few matches but has returned wicket-less with an economy of over 10 in the last two matches.

The most successful bowler for RR, Yuzvendra Chahal has bagged a total of 23 wickets in the tournament at an economy of 7.54. He will again serve as a key player to provide breakthroughs for the team in the middle-overs.

RR’s predicted playing XI for the LSG clash: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Rassie van der Dussen, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen.