IPL 2022: Eliminator – Predicted Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

After playing some good cricket throughout the tournament, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will now face the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Eliminator match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. To note, LSG managed to secure a victory by a mere margin of two runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during their last group stage match.

The new entrants have played some brilliant cricket throughout the group stage matches and had finished third on the points table, behind Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals. They will now have to face an uphill task against the Red Army during their eliminator match. Former RCB skipper Virat Kohli was impressive in his last outing and the Super Giants will be aware of the threat that he possesses.

Meanwhile, the new entrants LSG would be expected to make some changes in their playing XI with a probability of Krunal Pandya making his way back into the squad in place of Manan Vohra. One of the major concerns for LSG has been their inconsistent middle-order and the batters would look to bring out their A-game in the upcoming clash.

Here’s a look at the Lucknow Super Giants predicted playing XI against Royal Challengers Bangalore for the Eliminator of IPL 2022:

Openers: Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul

LSG opening batters Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul smashed the KKR bowlers in their last league match of IPL 2022. The opening duo was involved in an unbeaten partnership of 210 runs with De Kock playing the aggressor role. KKR bowlers had no answers to the LSG opening duo as they toyed away with the two-time champions.

While De Kock clobbered 140* runs in just 70 balls, skipper Rahul also played a brilliant supporting knock of 68 runs off just 51 balls. The duo will yet again have the responsibility of performing against the strong-looking bowling line-up of RCB. It remains to be seen how both De Kock and Rahul would go about their business in the eliminator.

Middle Order: Evin Lewis, Deepak Hooda and Marcus Stoinis

The West Indies batter Evin Lewis has only got a few chances to play for the new entrants this season. However, he played an excellent match-winning knock against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during a group stage match of IPL. Lewis did not get a chance to bat in the previous match, but we all know how explosive he can be on any given day.

Similarly, Indian batter Deepak Hooda has played some vital knocks for the Supergiants and he would like to contribute more in the upcoming match against RCB. Hooda takes a little time to settle down, but he can hit some lusty blows when he is all set out there in the middle. The same can be said about the Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. The right-handed batter from Australia has played some short but sweet knocks for LSG and would like to contribute more with his all-round ability in the all-important eliminator.

All-rounders: Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder and Krishnappa Gowtham

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder was thrashed all round the park by the KKR batters during their last group stage match. The 30-year-old gave away 45 runs and was wicketless in his full four-over quota. Spinner Krishnappa Gowtham was able to scalp one wicket, but he was quite expensive giving away 23 runs in his two-over quota.

Both Holder and Gowtham are known for their consistent line and lengths in bowling and they would like to forget what happened in the previous match and focus on the eliminator to be played against RCB at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Meanwhile, LSG’s ace all-rounder Krunal Pandya is expected to make a comeback in the Eliminator match.

Bowlers: Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi

Young pacer Mohsin Khan wreaked havoc on the KKR batting line-up as he scalped three big wickets of Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell and Abhijeet Tomar. Khan was economical as he gave away only 20 runs in his four-over quota and impressed everyone with his variations. Coming to the Eliminator, Mohsin would wish to replicate his good performance against RCB as well.

On the other hand, Avesh Khan had a forgettable last outing as he gave away 60 runs in his four-over quota and could not even pick up a single wicket. Also, spinner Ravi Bishnoi could not make an impact with his bowling and scalped just one wicket after giving away 34 runs in four overs. Both Avesh and Bishnoi would wish to perform well for their team against the strong batting line-up of RCB.

LSG’s predicted playing XI for the RCB Clash: Quinton de Kock (wk), KL Rahul (c), Evin Lewis, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Krishnappa Gowtham, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi.