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*LSG VS GT PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*LSG HAVE A SNIFF:*
Having won their last game away from home in Jaipur, the confidence levels in the LSG camp would be high sky. They’d look to maintain the momentum if they are to defeat GT, the defending champions who they lost to, both times, in their attempt last year. For GT, beating Lucknow should bring a feeling of nostalgia because it was the first ever game they won against an opponent at the IPL and on top of that, beating LSG for the second time sealed their ticket through to the playoffs as well. With 3 back to back games lined up for the Rahul led side at the Ekana Stadium, they have a sniff at reaching greater heights in the points table.
*LSG PROBABLE XI:*
Kyle Mayers, KL Rahul(c), Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran(wk), Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen ul Haq/Mark Wood, Avesh Khan
With Mayers notching up another fifty adjusting well to the conditions on offer, expect him to keep his place again. The wait is expected to continue for QDK, who would feel unfortunate for being benched for so long.
Mark Wood, was missing in action last game but his replacement Naveen Ul Haq did a commendable job. With adequate rest to be provided to Wood between games, expect him to miss another one.
KL Rahul, known to anchor the innings, should play a pivotal role today because of the black soil surface at hand. We may not see a lot of big hits today but controlled and composed batting should help the team’s cause.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Gowtham, the off spinner, could be seen if LSG bowl second. With the pitch expected to take turn and not being an easy one for stroke making, LSG could well and truly unleash a wide array of spinners.
*GT PROBABLE XI:*
Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Sai Sudarshan, Hardik Pandya(c), David Miller, Vijay Shankar/Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shami, Noor Ahmed
This game would be played on a black soil pitch and there’s a high chance that Rashid’s national teammate Noor Ahmed will feature. He could be an asset on this track.
The role of Gill as an anchor, would once again come to the highlight. With Mark Wood not confirmed of featuring, expect Gill to go big.
Abhinav Manohar was seen playing for Gujarat last game but if Shankar is fit and running, GT could face a debacle as to who to feature. If I was in the management, I would have backed Manohar at No6, he has a fabulous game against pace.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Mohit Sharma could be slotted in when GT bowl. He has been surprisingly impressive with his skill set and on this Ekana wicket, he could be their trump with the variations and change of pace.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR LSG:*
Highest run getter- Kyle Mayers/KL Rahul
Highest wicket taker- Ravi Bishnoi/Avesh Khan
*FOR GT:*
Highest run getter- Shubman Gill/Hardik Pandya
Highest wicket taker- Rashid Khan/Mohammad Shami
*FOR THE GAME:*
LSG to win