*PBKS VS LSG MATCH 39 PREVIEW:*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*CLASH OF TWO INCONSISTENT OUTFITS AT THE IS BINDRA STADIUM:*
Both LSG and PBKS have had middling campaigns so far, stuck at 8 points with 4 points and losing the plot every then and now. Tonight gives both teams an opportunity to come out of this middle muddle and aim for the top. Whichever team emerges victorious, would join GT, CSK and RR at the Everest. Both teams have had their fair share of “Wow” moments combined with some mediocre and embarrassing moments including that of LSG choking vs GT in their last encounter and PBKS not standing up as a good batting unit on several occasions.
*PBKS PROBABLE XI:*
Prabhsimran Singh, Matthew Short, Atharv Taide, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(wk), ShahRukh Khan, Sam Curran(c), Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh, India’s dynamite as well as Punjab’s ace bowler has been clicking for them everytime he has been handed over a tough ask. He has bailed the team out of troubled situations by remaining economical and striking at good points as well. He could be an interesting pick against Mayers, who is likely to open with KL once again given Mayers’ struggles against left arm pace. Expect Ellis to be saved for the middle overs with both KL and Mayers, tentative against left arm pace.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Harpreet Singh could come in for PBKS as the impact substitute when Punjab bat replacing Arshdeep. Whereas, when Punjab bat second, the opposite could happen.
*LSG PROBABLE XI:*
Kyle Mayers, KL Rahul(c), Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, Naveen Ul Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Yudhvir Singh Charak
Pooran has enjoyed his time at the LSG this year, playing quite a few impactful cameos and delivering when needed. However, he has not been given enough time out in the middle and a change in that could get the even better version out of him. LSG can look to promote him ahead of Krunal or even Stoinis for that matter and utilise his credentials as a hard hitter. His good record vs left armers could further cause damage to PBKS’s hopes.
We could see Mayers feature once again in the XI despite QDK being fit and available. As harsh as this may sound but there is nothing that can be done to improve this situation and Dekock warming the bench is an unfortunate event at best.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Amit Mishra is likely to feature as the impact sub replacing Kyle Mayers since KL has hardly used him in Lucknow’s last few games.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR PBKS:*
Highest run getter- Prabhsimran Singh/Liam Livingstone
Highest wicket taker- Arshdeep Singh/Sam Curran
*FOR LSG:*
Highest run getter- Nicholas Pooran/Marcus Stoinis
Highest wicket taker- Ravi Bishnoi/Amit Mishra
*FOR THE GAME:*
LSG to win