It's Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) VS Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who are desperate to win a match after 5 losses in a row. This is the first time CSK has lost 5 consecutive matches in the IPL. LSG on the other hand, have defeated the table toppers, Gujarat Titans (GT), in their last game while chasing 181. Even though LSG's Captain Rishabh Pant is not in great form but they will still be confident ahead of the clash as their team is performing well, especially Nicholas Pooran.
LSG is currently at 4th position in the points table with 4 wins in 6 matches. Whereas, CSK is at 10th position with only 1 win in 6 matches they played. LSG have won their last 3 matches, so their morale must be high entering this game, also they will be gaining the home ground advantage.
Pitch Report:
How will the surface at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow will behave in today's match? Historically, Ekana has recorded quite a lot of low-scoring games, but this surface is changed now. So, to elaborate more, Ekana has 3 types of surface: 1) Red Soil, 2) Black Soil, 3) Mixture of Red and Black Soil.
The Red Soil wicket is easier for batters and fast bowlers, the Black Soil wicket mostly slows down the scoring rate and helps spinners who look to generate turn from the pitch. The mixture of both soils is most difficult to study, a similar surface was used in the 2023 World Cup Final between India and Australia, where the wicket gets better for the batters in the 2nd half of the match, making it easier to chase.
They used the slower surface in the clash against the Gujarat Titans, so I am predicting that it will be a high-scoring pitch this time. Still, the par score can be between 180-200, especially if CSK is chasing. We all know that CSK has a very bad record in chasing 180+ totals.
In the last 17 games at Ekana, 8 times the batting 1st team has won the match and 9 times the chasing team has won.
Predictions:
We don't know the exact pitch surface yet, but we will make our predictions based on the team performance.
- CSK, if they win the toss, they will most probably choose to bat first. LSG might choose to bowl, considering they won the last match chasing on a slow surface, but I guess they should bat first.
- Again, 180-200 might be the par score here at Lucknow.
- From CSK, Noor Ahmed will be the standout player. Khaleel Ahmed if defending.
- For LSG, it will be Nicholas Pooran and/or Digvesh Rathi.
- LSG depends upon their foreign strength in batting. If LSG is chasing and CSK manages to get Nicholas and Markram, then CSK will win it.
- Whoever Bats 1st will win this game.
However, I feel LSG can win it chasing too, but depending on Pooran. Expecting a great match tonight as both teams need to win to make themselves stronger in the league.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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