Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 11th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, March 30. led by KL Rahul, LSG will look to bounce back from a 20-run defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur in their IPL 2024 opener. As they are yet to open their accounts, the Super Giants are languishing at the bottom of the IPL 2024 standings.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings will look to return to winning ways after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by four wickets at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan-led PBKS started their IPL 2024 campaign with a four-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in Mullanpur.
With one win and one loss, PBKS currently sit at the fifth position in the IPL 2024 standings with two points on the board.
Ahead of a crucial IPL clash in 2024, we take a look at the predicted XIs of both sides.
LSG predicted XI
Quinton de Kock
LSG will be hoping their star opening batsman Quinton de Kock can return to form after being dismissed cheaply against RR in their opening game. Since his IPL debut in 2013, the South African batsman has amassed 2,911 runs in 97 IPL matches at an average of 31.99 and a strike rate of 134.09.
KL Rahul (captain/wicketkeeper)
LSG captain KL Rahul hit his 34th IPL fifty against the Royals in Jaipur. Chasing 194, Rahul scored a brilliant 44-ball 58 to keep his side in the hunt. His knock included four fours and two sixes. The wicketkeeper-batsman will look to continue his scintillating form against PBKS.
Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal had a forgettable outing on his LSG debut after failing to open his account against RR. Padikkal batted at number three and was cleared by RR pacer Trent Boult. The left-hander is set to score big on Saturday, with 1,521 IPL runs in 58 matches at an average of 27.16 and a strike rate of 125.08.
Ayush Badoni
Young LSG batsman Ayush Badoni struggled to get going in their IPL 2024 opener. Badoni was reeling at 10/2, came to bat at number four and was soon killed after five deliveries. After making his IPL debut in 2022, Badoni has scored 400 runs in 29 matches, including two fifties to his name. He will be keen to impress at home on Saturday.
Nicholas Pooran
West Indian cricketer Nicholas Pooran was the standout batsman for LSG in their previous match. Batting at number six, Pooran scored an unbeaten 64 off just 41 balls against the Royals. He slammed four boundaries and as many sixes to keep LSG in the game. The swashbuckling left-hander will look to continue his stellar form and lead his side to their first win this season.
Marcus Stoinis
Australian star all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was LSG’s leading points scorer last season. In IPL 2023, the 34-year-old amassed 408 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 150 while also maintaining a decent average of 31.38. While Stoinis was dismissed cheaply against RR, LSG will once again rely on him with both bat and ball in Lucknow.
Krunal Pandya
All-rounder Krunal Pandya was the most economical bowler in LSG’s opening match against RR. Despite not taking a wicket, Pandya conceded just 19 runs in his quota of four overs. The 33-year-old will hold the key against PBKS on Saturday with his all-round abilities.
Ravi Bishnoi
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi delivered a mediocre performance in LSG’s opening match. Bishnoi was a tad expensive as he gave away 38 runs in his four overs. However, he took the important wicket of Shimron Hetmyer in their previous match. The India international will be hoping to impress in his quest for a place in the Indian T20 World Cup squad.
Mohsin Khan
Left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan is expected to retain his place in LSG’s starting XI despite a poor performance in their last match. The 25-year-old conceded 45 runs in his quota of four overs. Mohsin started his stint earlier by removing RR’s opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal. He will play a key role against PBKS.
Naveen-ul-Haq
Afghan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq was the standout bowler for LSG in their first match. The right-arm pacer picked up the huge wickets of Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag to help his side restrict the Royals to under 200. Naveen-ul-Haq will look to provide early breakthroughs to put pressure on the PBKS batting line-up.
Yas Thakur
LSG fast bowler Yash Thakur was expensive against the Royals. The 25-year-old gave away 43 runs in his three overs in Jaipur. The right-arm pacer will look to bounce back against PBKS to cement his place in the starting XI.
Impact sub
Deepak Hooda/Amit Mishra
PBKS predicted XI
Shikhar Dhawan (captain)
PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan has made a good start to his IPL 2024 campaign. The left-hander scored 67 runs in the first two matches at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 126.42. Shikhar will look to convert his starts into a big score against LSG.
Jonny Bairstow
England’s flamboyant batsman Jonny Bairstow will be aiming to return to form after posting low scores in his previous two outings. Bairstow has scored just 17 runs so far in IPL 2024. In total, the right-handed batsman has amassed over 1,300 IPL runs in 41 matches, including one century and nine fifties to his name.
Prabhsimran Singh
Prabhsimran Singh was one of the standout players for PBKS last season. The batsman has scored 358 runs in 14 matches, with a strike rate of over 150. Although Prabhsimran has scored 51 runs this season, he will be keen to score big against LSG on Saturday.
Liam Livingstone
Punjab Kings will again rely on Liam Livingstone in the middle overs. Livingstone has already scored 883 IPL runs in 34 matches with an impressive strike rate of 165.36, while also maintaining an average of 30.45. While Livingstone has made a decent start in his two matches this season, he will look to convert it to a fifty or even a century in Lucknow.
Sam Curran
PBKS’ star all-rounder Sam Curran scored 86 runs in the first two matches of this season. Curran has been allowed to play higher up the order and the left-hander has made the most of his opportunities so far. However, the left-arm pacer will be hoping to improve his bowling after scalping just a solitary wicket.
Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper)
Punjab Kings will once again rely on wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma to help them post a match-winning total on the board. Jitesh, a middle-order batsman, has scored just 36 runs in the two matches this season. He will look to impress to boost his chances of a place in the Indian T20 World Cup squad.
Shashank Singh
Shashank Singh impressed for PBKS after scoring 21 unbeaten runs off just eight deliveries against RCB at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. Batting at number seven, Shashank hit one four and two sixes to help PBKS achieve a good total in their last match. He will try to continue his good form.
Harpreet Brar
PBKS spinner Harpreet Brar produced an impressive spell against RCB. The 28-year-old left-arm spinner dismissed Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell to finish with figures of 4-0-13-2. He will once again hold the key in PBKS’ bowling department.
Harshal Patel
New signing Harshal Patel has been expensive for PBKS this season. Despite taking three wickets in two matches, Harshal has conceded 92 runs at an economy of 11.50. He will be aiming to bounce back against LSG on Saturday.
Kagiso Rabada
South African pacer Kagiso Rabada will once again be the go-to bowler for PBKS in Lucknow. The right-arm pacer has already scalped three wickets in two IPL 2024 matches at an average of 19.67 and an economy of 7.38. Since his IPL debut in 2017, Rabada has picked 109 wickets in 71 matches.
Rahul Chahar
PBKS leg-spinner Rahul Chahar could play a crucial role against LSG on Saturday. Chahar has already taken 66 IPL wickets in 71 matches at an economy of 7.60. Although Chahar has claimed just one wicket this season, he will be keen to add to his tally against a star-studded LSG batting line-up.
Impact sub
Arshdeep Singh
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