LSG Vs RCB Preview: Pitch, spinners hold key in clash of playoffs contenders

LSG Vs RCB Preview: Lucknow had defeated Bangalore by 1 wicket in their first clash of the season.

In the 43rd match of IPL 2023, Lucknow Super Giants will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.

LSG have won their most recent game against PBKS by 56 runs, marking their 5th victory out of 8 matches played so far. As they prepare to face RCB in their next match, LSG will be determined to maintain their winning streak, as they have already secured a victory against them once this season.

With 4 wins out of 8 matches played so far, RCB suffered a defeat in their recent game against KKR, losing by a margin of 21 runs. As they prepare to face LSG in their upcoming match, RCB will be looking to turn the tide and return to their winning form.

Earlier this season, LSG defeated RCB by 1 wicket in a thrilling last over finish thanks to Marcus Stoinis (65 off 30) and Nicholas Pooran (62 off 19) who led a sensational chase after RCB had set a huge target of 213. Despite a disciplined bowling effort by RCB, Stoinis and Pooran went on a boundary-hitting spree, with Pooran hitting the fastest fifty of the season so far off just 15 balls. Ayush Badoni played a sensible innings before getting out hit wicket with 24 needed off 18. With 5 needed off the last over, LSG levelled the scores with a single off the penultimate ball and won the game thanks to a fumble by RCB keeper Dinesh Karthik.

LSG Vs RCB: Pitch Report

Ekana Cricket Stadium is famous for its black soil wickets that generally benefit pace bowlers, making it a ground that favors fast bowlers. However, spinners are likely to have a crucial role to play in the middle overs of the match. Teams batting first can score well on this ground if they settle in, but chasing a total can be difficult.

LSG Vs RCB: Team News

LSG, who emerged victorious in their previous game against PBKS, might consider the same starting XI against RCB in their upcoming match.

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis, who played as an impact player in the last three matches, may be included in the starting XI if he is fully fit. Additionally, Josh Hazlewood could also get a chance in the next match, potentially replacing David Willey.

LSG Vs RCB: Head to Head

Matches – 3

Lucknow Super Giants – 1

Royal Challengers Bangalore – 2

LSG Vs RCB: Players to Watch

Lucknow Super Giants: Kyle Mayers

After some disappointing performance with the bat, Mayers played a remarkable innings of 54 off just 24 balls in the last match against PBKS, helping LSG post a massive total of 257 runs. He will be eager to maintain his good form in the upcoming match against RCB.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis has been in extraordinary batting form this season, topping the charts as the leading run-scorer with 422 runs in just 8 matches, and currently holds the orange cap. He is an essential player for his team and will likely look to sustain his impressive performance in the upcoming match against LSG, with the goal of scoring big and retaining his position as the top scorer, while also contributing to his team's success.

LSG Vs RCB: Probable Playing XIs

Lucknow Super Giants Predicted Playing XI:

KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ayush Badoni, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Yash Thakur

Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted Playing XI:

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Mahipal Lomror,  Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazelwood, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Mohammed Siraj

LSG Vs RCB: Match Facts

LSG and RCB have played against each other 3 times in the IPL, resulting in 1 win for LSG and 2 wins for RCB.

Virat Kohli requires 43 more runs to reach the milestone of 7000 runs in IPL.

Dinesh Karthik needs 41 more runs to reach 4500 runs in IPL.

Ravi Bishnoi needs only 3 more wickets to reach 50 wickets in IPL.

LSG Vs RCB: Live Broadcasting

IND: Star Sports Network (TV) | JioCinema (Live Streaming)

UK: DAZN, Sky Sports

AUS: Fox Sports, Kayo Sports