The 21st match of IPL 2023 will see the Lucknow Super giants (LSG) clash with Punjab kings (PBKS) at the Ekana Cricket Arena in Lucknow on Saturday, April 15. With victories in three of their four matches, LSG has made a strong start to the IPL 2023 season. They are currently tied with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for second place in the points table.
On the other hand, PBKS is sixth in the standings with two wins and two losses. They’ll be looking for a win today to move into the top half of the points table.
In their previous match, Lucknow prevailed over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a nail-biting last-ball thriller. Punjab, then again, lost to Gujarat Titans (GT) by six wickets to experience their second successive loss in IPL 2023.
The upcoming matchup looks like it will be exciting because both teams want the two points. Later tonight in Lucknow, there will be a couple of interesting matches.
In light of this, let’s take a look at three player battles in the tie between LSG and PBKS.
1) Shikhar Dhawan vs Amit Mishra
Shikhar Dhawan, captain of PBKS, has been the team’s most effective batter in IPL 2023. The southpaw is currently leading the tournament in run-scoring with 233 in four games.
However, Dhawan will have a tough time competing with Amit Mishra, who has performed admirably thus far. Dhawan midpoints just 25 against right-arm leg-break bowlers starting around 2019. Besides, he has been excused by Mishra threefold in 33 conveyances.
It will be a competitive match that could decide the contest’s outcome.
2) Nicholas Pooran vs Kagiso Rabada
Nicholas Pooran, a wicketkeeper and batsman for LSG, played a blinder against RCB, scoring 62 runs in 19 balls, including seven sixes and four boundaries. By smashing sixes all over the park, the left-handed batter appeared to be in excellent form.
He has, however, struggled against right-arm fast bowlers, averaging just 17 runs per game since the IPL 2019.
Knowing this, the PBKS think tank will unleash Kagiso Rabada to eliminate Pooran’s threat. The South African pacer, who performed admirably in the match against Gujarat, will face the left-handed Pooran.
3) Marcus Stoinis vs Arshdeep Singh
Pooran has a bad record against right-handed pacers, but Marcus Stoinis usually has trouble with left-handed fast bowlers.
Arshdeep Singh will be up against Stoinis, who is coming into this game fresh off of a fantastic performance against RCB.
The youngster has had a fantastic tournament thus far and will attempt to maintain his rhythm as the Kings attempt to recover from two defeats in a row. How he performs in the fight against Stoinis will be interesting.