Punjab Kings Look To Stay In Contention For Playoffs
IPL 2022: Match number 42 sees Punjab Kings face former skipper KL Rahul and Lucknow Super Giants at the MCA Stadium, Pune. PBKS have 4 wins, while LSG have 5.
Previous Match
Punjab Kings won a close encounter, as they completed the double over Chennai Super Kings.
A welcome return to form for Shikhar Dhawan meant Punjab Kings were able to post 187 on the board.
Also read: https://www.sportstrumpet.com/shikhar-dhawan-back-in-contention-for-the-orange-cap/
Rishi Dhawan, playing his 1st match in 6 years, picked up 2 crucial wickets to help Punjab to a much needed win. This win took Punjab Kings to 8 points in as many games. A win tonight will take them equal on points with Lucknow Super Giants, who sit in 4th place at 10 points.
On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants won their match against Mumbai Indians by 36 runs. A comfortanle win, thanks to a magnificent century by KL Rahul. Rahul scored 103* in just 62 balls to help LSG post 168 on the board.
Krunal Pandya and Dushmantha Chameera picked up 3/33 in 8 overs to cut short any chances of MI chasing down 169.
Also read: https://www.sportstrumpet.com/victory-celebrations-cut-short-as-lsg-players-were-fined/
Head to Head
This is the first time that these two teams are playing each other.
Pitch Report
The deck at the MCA Stadium has been a good one to bat on but, as the game progresses, spinners are getting more grip and turn. Expect the captain winning the toss to elect to field first. There are long boundaries, mostly 80-85 meters, so expect a lot of running to be done during the innings.
Average 1st Innings score – 165 runs.
Injury Update
Will be updates as soon as we get some news regarding an injury.
Probable Playing XI
Punjab Kings – Mayank Agarwal(C), Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Sandeep Sharma, Arshdeep Singh.
Lucknow Super Giants – Quinton de Kock (wk), KL Rahul (c), Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder, Mohsin Khan, Dushmantha Chameera, Ravi Bishnoi.
Key Players
Punjab Kings
Shikhar Dhawan – The Indian opener has amassed 305 runs in just 8 appearances. This has taken him to 4th place in the list of highest run getters. Coming off a memorable outing against Chennai Super Kings. Dhawan will be hoping to continue his fine form against Lucknow Super Giants.
Liam Livingstone – The hard hitting Englishman has been in good form, hitting the bowlers all over the park. If Punjab Kings are to post/ chase a big total, most of the onus would be on Livingstone to hit a few long balls. Livingstone has smashed 245 runs in 8 innings, with a hefty strike rate of 187.02. Along with this, Livingstone has picked up 2 wickets as well. Mayank can rely on Livingstone more, given the pitch has been predicted to assist the spinners as the match wears on.
Rahul Chahar – The canny leg spinner has been the pick of the bowlers for Punjab Kings alongside Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh. Chahar has picked up 10 wickets in 8 matches, with a more than decent economy of 7.59, best among Punjab bowlers. If the pitch tonight aids the spinners, Chahar will be licking his lips as he can be the “turning point” for Punjab.
Lucknow Super Giants
KL Rahul – The former Punjab Kings skipper has been in marvelous form, after a nightmare start to the tournament. Rahul is 2nd in the list of highest run scorers, with 368 runs at an average of 61.33, with a strike rate upwards of 147. Rahul is also coming off a fresh century vs Mumbai Indians.
Marcus Stoinis – If Lucknow are to chase/ post a big score on the board, the hard hitting muscle man from Australia will have the responsibility of hitting the big shots. Add to this the valuable bowling variations that Stoinis provides. Stoinis can act as the 6th bowler and bowl some valuable economical overs during the middle stages of the innings.
Ravi Bishnoi – Just like Rahul, Ravi Bishnoi made a trip from Punjab to Lucknow, before the Tata IPL 2022 Mega Auction. Bishnoi has had an average tournament, picking up 6 wickets in as many matches. But, tonight, a statement performance is said to be on the cards for Ravi Bishnoi, against his former team.
It will be a gripping contest, when the two teams meet tonight, Let’s find out who will have the ice in the veins to pick up a crucial 2 points.
