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The 42nd match of the Indian Premier League 2022 will witness the clash between PBKS and LSG for the first time in the league. The current LSG captain KL Rahul will be up against his former franchise when they meet at MCA Stadium in Pune on April 29.
Punjab Kings are placed fifth on the points table, having won four matches out of eight, with their net run-rate reading -0.419. After losing two matches in a row, the side returned to winning ways in their last game, defeating Chennai Super Kings by 11 runs at Wankhede Stadium.
Shikhar Dhawan was the star with the bat for the Kings, scoring 88* off 59 balls and adding 110 runs for the second wicket with Bhanuka Rajapaksa (42 off 32). A quick cameo of seven-ball 19 from Liam Livingstone took the team to 187/4.
Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh were terrific in the second innings, returning 2/23 and 1/23, respectively. Rishi Dhawan, playing his first game, held his nerves to defend 27 off the final over.
The Super Giants currently sit fifth with 10 points, having won five and lost three games. Their net run-rate stands at a handy 0.334. They are coming off a convincing victory over Mumbai Indians by 36 runs in their last fixture at Wankhede Stadium.
Captain KL Rahul was at his best as he smashed second hundred of the IPL 2022, both of which came in the previous encounter. Lucknow reached 168/6 on the back of Rahul’s unbeaten 103 off 62. The LSG bowlers were terrific in their defence, with Dushmantha Chameera conceding only 14 runs in four overs and Mohsin Khan picking one for 27 on debut, while Krunal Pandya picked the most three wickets for 19 in four.
Key players
After an underwhelming start to his season in IPL 2022, KL Rahul has turned things around with two unbeaten hundreds in the last three games. The right-hander has scored 368 runs in eight innings at an average of 61 while striking at 148. Since 2018, the opening batter has amassed 2914 runs in the league at an incredible average of 57 and strike rate of 140.
Jason Holder has developed into one of the most dependable T20 pacers in recent times and has been superb for Lucknow in the ongoing edition. The right arm pacer has taken 9 wickets in six matches at 8.70 rpo, bowling in death overs a lot. Since 2021, the West Indies international has claimed 56 wickets in 40 innings in T20 cricket at an economy of around 8.
PBKS batsman Shikhar Dhawan has scored 302 runs from eight innings in IPL 2022 at an average of 43 and strike rate of 133, including two fifties. Since 2018, he has scored 2525 runs in the league at an average of nearly 40 and strike rate of 135.
One of the underrated players in IPL in the last couple of years, Arshdeep Singh has the ability to nail yorkers at will and has been magnificent in end overs. Arshdeep has only picked three wickets in the ongoing season but has conceded runs at an incredible 5.67 in death overs. His skillset will be important for Punjab Kings if they are to beat Lucknow.
Prediction
PBKS bolstered their batting unit in the last game with the inclusion of Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and they reaped the rewards for it straightaway. Jonny Bairstow and Mayank Agarwal’s form has been a concern for the team and a swap between their batting position could be helpful for the team. Their bowling unit has done a decent job so far. Arshdeep has been the best death overs bowler in IPL 2022, while Rabada and Rahul Chahar have also done well.
LSG have a very good bowling attack, comprising Holder, Dushmantha Chameera, Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya. Avesh Khan missed the last game due to an injury, and if he’s fit, their bowling unit only strengthens. The batting department, however, is largely dependent on Rahul. The likes of Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis and Deepak Hooda need to do more.
The contest between the two teams is to be played in Pune, where the team batting first and second has won four matches each. With Rahul being in red-hot form and their bowling unit being significantly better, expect Lucknow Super Giants to come out triumphant in this IPL clash on Friday.
