The cricketing arena is set for a showdown between two giants as table-toppers Rajasthan Royals lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants in a thrilling double-header on Saturday, April 27th. With Rajasthan Royals led by the dynamic Sanju Samson and Lucknow Super Giants under the captaincy of KL Rahul, fans can expect an exhilarating match-up.
Rajasthan Royals enter the contest on the back of a dominant victory against Mumbai Indians, where they showcased their formidable prowess. Led by a stellar performance from Sandeep Sharma, who claimed a remarkable five-wicket haul, the Royals restricted the Mumbai Indians to a modest total of 189 runs. The chase was a cakewalk for the inaugural edition champions, with star batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal’s scintillating century guiding them to victory with ease.
On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants faced a daunting task against Chennai Super Kings, who posted a challenging total of 210 runs on the board, courtesy of a century from skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Despite a precarious position at 158/4 in the 17th over, Lucknow Super Giants staged a remarkable comeback, propelled by a blitzkrieg century from Marcus Stoinis, securing victory with three deliveries to spare.
If Lucknow Super Giants bat first, their playing XI is expected to feature Quinton De Kock, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Matt Henry, Ravi Bishnoi, and Mohsin Khan. Conversely, if they bowl first, Yash Thakur may replace Devdutt Padikkal in the lineup.
For Rajasthan Royals, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, and Sandeep Sharma are anticipated to form the playing XI if they bat first. However, if they bowl first, Yuzvendra Chahal may replace Rovman Powell.
In terms of head-to-head encounters, Rajasthan Royals have enjoyed the upper hand, winning three out of their four previous meetings against Lucknow Super Giants. Moreover, Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious in their earlier clash this season, held at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
The pitch at the Ekana Stadium is known for its slow nature, making it a slightly deceptive surface for batsmen. Out of the 11 games played at this venue, only four matches have been won by the team batting second. However, Lucknow Super Giants have proven their ability to chase successfully at this venue, as evidenced by their recent victory against Chennai Super Kings.
In the fantasy XI lineup, key players to watch out for include Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Marcus Stoinis, Riyan Parag, Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, and Trent Boult.
With both teams boasting formidable lineups and a history of thrilling encounters, the clash between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants promises to be a captivating spectacle for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
