IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in RCB VS LSG Match No.15

IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are set to host Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in match 15 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. When it comes to the head-to-head record between these two teams, RCB has the edge over LSG. These two teams have faced each other only twice in the history of the league with Bangalore emerging victorious on both occasions. 

The Faf du Plessis and Co. have had a topsy-turvy tournament so far. After a thumping 8-wicket win over MI in the first game at home, they were humiliated in their first away game of the season when they lost their second game by 81 runs against KKR. RCB lost the previous game due to their poor-batting display as only three batters got off to the 20-run mark. Not to forget their poor death bowling which leaked so many runs in the death overs. Death bowling is something that’s been a cause of concern for them. The unavailability of Josh Hazlewood has affected the balance of the side.

Lucknow Super Giants on the other hand are coming into the game after a thrashing SRH in their third game. Krunal Pandya was the chief architect for LSG in the third game as he rattled the SRH batters with his left-arm spin and then scored 30-odd runs to help the team win their second game of the season. LSG looks like a well-balanced side with quality options in both the batting and bowling departments. In the last game, Avesh Khan and Mark Wood didn’t take part in the game due to respective reasons but are expected to be available for selection for the game against RCB which is a massive boost for the Bangalore-based team.

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Keep an Eye On in RCB VS LSG Game:

3) Deepak Hooda vs Karn Sharma

Hooda was one of the star performers for LSG last season. But so far this season he has been very disappointing. He has played three matches, scoring just 26 runs. The pressure will be on Hooda to get some runs and there cannot be a better venue to score big runs than the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The LSG batter likes to take on the spinners early in his innings. He hasn’t been very successful while doing so this season.

In absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, Karn Sharma has led the spin attack brilliantly. The leggie has an excellent record against Hooda. Karn has dismissed Hooda twice in 10 balls. Whenever Hooda arrives, it will be a no-brainer for Faf to bring his ace leg spinner into the attack.

IPL 2023: 2) Virat Kohli vs Ravi Bishnoi

Having played a match-winning hand in the first game of the season at home, all the focus will once again be on Virat Kohli. He will have to do the bulk of the scoring for his team to win against a formidable LSG bowling unit. Last game he was undone by Sunil Narine’s magic. Coming into this game, it will be interesting to see how Kohli tackles LSG spinners- Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi. The in-form league Bishnoi will be the biggest threat to Kohli in this game.

Kohli has scored 23 runs against Ravi Bishnoi in IPL at a strike rate of just 100.00. Although Bishnoi has not been able to dismiss Kohli, he has certainly kept him under control. Over the past few years, Kohli has struggled against leg spinners and this could bring Bishnoi into the game. This battle between Kohli and Bishnoi can be an intriguing one to watch out for.

1) KL Rahul vs Mohammed Siraj

KL Rahul hasn’t really set the IPL 2023 stage on fire. The LSG skipper has been one of the most prolific run scorers in the last few seasons which is why every time he takes the field the expectations increase further. He will be playing at his home ground in Bangalore where he boasts an excellent record with 344 runs to his name at an excellent strike rate of 141.56. Opening the batting on a flat track, Rahul will aim to score big and help his team win. The responsibility of stopping Rahul will be on Mohammed Siraj, RCB’s powerplay specialist.

In five IPL meetings, Rahul has slammed 91 runs against the right-arm seamer at a blistering strike rate of 193.6, without getting dismissed. Siraj is a different bowler and he has all the tools in his kit to get the wicket of Rahul.