GT vs LSG Preview: Pandya brothers up against each other
It will be the battle of the newcomers when defending champions Gujarat Titans square off against Lucknow Super Giants at the den of the champions on Sunday, May 7. Hardik Pandya’s side, who are firmly placed at the summit of the points table in IPL 2023, come into the match on the back of a chastening victory against Rajasthan Royals in their previous outing.
The Gujarat-based outfit were a cut about their opponents in all departs of the game, especially with the ball, as they restricted Royals to a modest total. Following an impressive performance by the bowlers, the batters, led by Hardik Pandya, got over the line without breaking a sweat in the second innings, solidifying their spot at the top of the points table.
Meanwhile, their opponents, Lucknow Super Giants, suffered a huge blow earlier this week after skipper KL Rahul was ruled out of the tournament due to a leg injury. Krunal Pandya is expected to lead the side in Rahul’s absence as the Lucknow-based franchise aims to qualify for the playoff for a second season running.
Pitch and conditions
The previous match at this venue turned out to be a low-scoring thriller as both sides struggled with the bat. The pitch is expected to assist the slower bowlers, and the team winning the toss would be inclined to bat first at this venue, given the previous result.
Venue details: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Last T20 match at the venue: DC- 130/8 (20 overs) GT- 125/6 (20 overs)
Probable playing XI for Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants:
Gujarat Titans
The defending champions came under scrutiny, especially skipper Hardik Pandya after his sluggish innings in a loss against Delhi Capitals. However, the star Indian all-rounder shut out his critics with an explosive innings against Rajasthan Royals.
Lucknow Super Giants
Although LSG’s previous match against Chennai Super Kings was washed out by rain, the batters struggled to cope against the slow nature of the track in Lucknow. Barring Ayush Badoni’s fighting half-century, all the other LSG batters struggled for fluency. It will be interesting to see how they cope with KL Rahul’s absence for the rest of the tournament.
