DC v LSG: IPL MATCH 45 PREVIEW

Lucknow had a decent start to their campaign by winning 3 consecutive games before it was thwarted by a fiery Trent Boult spell at Wankhede. LSG came back strong and defeated MI twice & PBKS in the last game to get to the 3rd place on the points table. KL Rahul scored 2 100s against his favourite opponents. Since 2018, he hasn't missed a single opportunity to score against MI. Middle overs has been LSG's biggest strength in the bowling department. They have the best RR among all the teams. Major factor behind this is the spin duo of Krunal and Bishnoi who have an eco of 5.9 and 7.9 respectively in that phase. One major weakness in Lucknow's line up is no 3. Until last game it looked like Manan Vohra should make way for Manish Pandey but LSG has decided to go with more than 7 bowling options and have backed Chameera & Holder lower down the order with the bat. Youngster Mohsin Khan was impressive againt Punjab in the last game. A tall, hit the deck left arm seamer is a gift to have in any side.

DC have the highest scoring rate in the Powerplay (9.35). Middle order has been DC's achilees heel this time. None of their batters have managed to score a 50, Rovman Powell was disappointing in the initia games but he has played 2 back to back cameos against RR and KKR. Pant got good starts but could not take DC to the finishing line against GT, RCB, RR & KKR. Marsh, who was supposed to bat at 3 was down with Covid and injuries. Perhaps, the biggest surprise this season was Khaleel's and Kuldeep's performance. Khaleel has been economical with the ball so far and hasn't let DC miss the services of Nortje. Kuldeep on the other hand has taken 18 wkts out of which 17 have come in the middle overs at an eco rate of 7.9. One major criticism of Captain Pant would be he overbowls his 6th bowling option. For twice in a row Lalit Yadav has been taken for runs after bowling 1 or 2 good overs.

Probable XI

Lucknow Super Giants

KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder, Dushmantha Chameera, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi

Delhi Capitals

Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Rovman Powell, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Khaleel Ahmed/Chetan Sakariya, Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman.

Venue

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

-Average 1st innings total: 167.6
-Average 1st innings total in 2022: 169.7
-Average 1st Innings winning score: 180.5

-Highest total: 235/1, made by Royal Challengers Bangalore against Mumbai Indians.
-Lowest Score:–67/10, made by Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians

-Teams batting 1st: Have won 45 out of 92 times
-Teams batting 2nd: Have won 47 out of 92 times

Teams batting 1st have won the last 5 out of the 7 matches at Wankhede

Record at Wankhede

DC: Played - 15, Won -6, Lost -9
LSG: Played - 3, Won - 1, Lost 2

Match Ups

QDK vs Axar: 83/1 at 159 sr
QDK vs Thakur; 44/1 at 146 sr
QDK v Thakur: 40/0 at 174 sr

KL vs Thakur: 59/1 at 190 sr
KL vs Axar: 16/2 at 76 sr

Pant vs Krunal: 52/3 at 157 sr
Warner vs Bishnoi: 5/3 at 83 sr

Hooda vs Thakur: 43/1 at 172 sr
Krunal vs Thakur: 21/2 at 105 sr

Form Update
(last 5 innings)

Key Players & Fantasy Picks

Captain & Vice Captain

Prithvi Shaw: What makes Shaw different from the current crop of openers? Since Shaw’s IPL debut in 2018, he has scored 1101 runs in the Powerplay at a whopping SR of 149.6. No one has scored more runs than him at a better SR. The next best on this list is Jos Butler with 879 runs at an SR of 147. Shaw already has 2 half centuries in this season.

David Warner: One of the most consistent batters in the history of the league. Warner has marked his presence in this season with 3 back to back half centuries. He has 6 50+ and 2 40+ scores in his last 12 T20 innings. Shaw & Warner are one of the most lethal opening pairs of the tournament. They have now put up 4 consecutive scores of 50+ and that too at an excellent RR.

KL Rahul: 2923 runs at a SR of 140. No one has scored more runs than him since 2018. KL has put consistent 500+ runs seasons for 4 times in a row and is on his way to reach the 400 runs mark for the 5th time in a row. He is the 2nd highest run scorer of the season with 374 runs at 53 avg and 143 sr with 2 100s.

Jason Holder: One of the most improved t20 cricketers in the recent times. Holder adds immense value to this Lucknow side both with the bat and the ball. He has taken 9 wkts at an eco of 8.7 and all the wkts have come in the middle and the death overs.

Budget Pick (Fanatsy rating - 8/8.5 points)

Krunal Pandya: He has the best economy rate in this season after Sunil Narine.

Prediction: LSG to win and Holder will be the standout performer for them

Fanatsy XI