IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in LSG VS GT Match No.30

IPL 2023: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will host Gujarat Titans (GT) in match 30 of the IPL 2023 at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. LSG and GT came face-to-face twice in the IPL. Gujarat Titans won both matches. Lucknow would like to alter this record in this match against the Titans.

Lucknow will head to the home game high on confidence, thanks to their brilliant 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals in the last match. Their bowling unit was at the top of their form as they successfully defended a modest 155-run target. KL Rahul was brilliant with his captaincy. Batters couldn’t fare well but bowlers responded well to the challenge. The home side will be vying for the top spot when they meet Gujarat Titans in the next fixture at their home base. LSG batters will have to find ways to tackle Rashid Khan, who’s been the top performer for GT this season.

Gujarat Titans kicked off their campaign in style with two successive wins, however, they failed to carry on the winning momentum in the subsequent matches, losing two of the other three games. In their last assignment, they suffered another humiliating defeat against Rajasthan Royals. Batting first, the Titans put up a decent score of 177 runs on the board. But, their bowlers couldn’t stop Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer as RR chased down the target at ease. GT is a well-balanced side and they will not make it easy for LSG in their home ground. R.Sai Kishore is likely to play this game. GT batters will have to be wary of the opposition bowlers and conditions.

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Keep an Eye on in LSG VS GT Game

1) Shubman Gill vs Ravi Bishnoi

Gill is the leading run scorer for the reigning champions in IPL 2023 so far. The stylish opener has been in scintillating form since the start of the year and has scored 228 runs in five games at an average of 45.6 and a strike rate of 139.87, including two half-centuries. On a slow wicket, he will be challenged by the LSG spinners. Ravi Bishnoi has emerged as one of the strike bowlers for LSG this season. He has taken a total of eight wickets in six games at an average of 19.62, maintaining an excellent economy of 6.97, and a strike rate of 16.8. Bishnoi hasn’t dismissed Gill yet in his IPL career. The right-handed Gill has accumulated 32 runs off 22 balls against the wily leg spinner.

2) KL Rahul vs Mohammed Shami

Rahul has been among the runs but he hasn’t been at his brutal best this season.  With the bat, he has scored 194 runs in six games at an average of 32.33. His strike rate- 114.79 has been an issue. He hasn’t been dismissed quite a lot in powerplay overs this season but against GT he will be up against the experienced Mohammed Shami, who has dismissed KL Rahul twice in as many as 17 balls while giving only 13 runs. Shami has been GT’s second-best bowler after Rashid Khan and has taken 10 wickets in five games at an average of 16.7 and a strike rate of 12. The right-arm seamer is very tough to counter with the new ball as he has the ability to move the white ball both ways which will make it difficult for Rahul. 

1) Rashid Khan vs Nicholas Pooran

Rashid Khan had a forgettable outing against the Rajasthan Royals when Sanju Samson smashed him for a hat-trick of sixes in an over. But he will back himself to come good against LSG. He will be the main threat for all the LSG batters. He would be up against the enforcer of LSG Nicholas Pooran in the middle overs. When it comes to their face-off, Rashid has troubled Pooran in the past and has dismissed the left-handed batter once in 20 balls while giving away just 13 runs. The Caribbean batter has the best strike rate among the batters who have scored more than 100 runs this season. He has made 170 runs, including one half-century at an average of 34 and a strike rate of 200. LSG’s Pooran likes to attack the bowlers and Rashid enjoys bowling to attacking batters. This promises to be a riveting battle.