LUCKNOW: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be eyeing their first victory at home this season when they take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday.
Skipper Rishabh Pant will be keen to make his presence felt after LSG suffered a narrow one-wicket defeat in their season’s opener against Delhi Capitals in Vizag. However, LSG made a strong comeback with an impressive five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second away outing, thanks to Nicholas Pooran (70), Mitchell Marsh (55), and Shardul Thakur (4/34), who excelled with his impressive bowling.
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LSG’s top-order was explosive, with Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran creating a strong foundation for the team. Aiden Markram, like Pant, did not perform well and will be hoping to make amends.
Pant, who became the most expensive player in the IPL auction last year, will be determined to justify his hefty Rs 27 crore price tag after low returns as a batter in the first two outings. A good innings in front of the home crowd will go a long way towards easing some of the pressure.
Mention should also be made of Abdul Samad, who scored an eight-ball 22 against SRH, while Shardul Thakur, who replaced Mohsin Khan, has done well with the ball. LSG have strategically opted for three spinners on the slow Ekana pitch and will look to Ravi Bishnoi to deliver.
Seasoned leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal will be the leader of the spin attack for Punjab, with Glenn Maxwell also expected to roll his arm over. This will also be an interesting clash between the most expensive and second-most expensive players in IPL history.
In contrast to Pant’s struggles, Shreyas Iyer, who was roped in for Rs 26.75 cr, led from the front with a match-winning 97 not out of 42 deliveries against Gujarat Titans. The IPL-winning captain is relishing playing at No. 3
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