3 player battles to watch out for in LSG vs RR, Match 44 of IPL 2024 ft. Marcus Stoinis vs Yuzvendra Chahal
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to lock horns at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday, April 27, in the upcoming match number 44 of IPL 2024.
This will be the second time that these two teams will square off this season. Rajasthan secured a 20-run win over Lucknow at Sawai Mansingh Stadium earlier in the tournament.
RR registered 193/4 in 20 overs after electing to bat first. Skipper Sanju Samson shone with the bat, delivering an unbeaten 82-run knock in 52 balls, while Riyan Parag scored 43 off 29 deliveries.
Naveen-ul-Haq bagged two wickets, while Mohsin Khan and Ravi Bishnoi bagged one scalp each. LSG's batting let them down in the run chase. Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul were the top performers, mustering 64* (41 balls) and 58 (44 balls), respectively.
Trent Boult was the pick of the Rajasthan bowlers, registering figures of 4-0-35-2. RR also have the upperhand over LSG when it comes to the head-to-head record, winning three out of four games between the two sides.
Rajasthan have emerged as the team to beat in IPL 2024. With seven victories from eight outings, they are currently placed at the top of the points table. Lucknow, on the other hand, have five wins to their name from eight fixtures and are fourth.
It is worth mentioning that a win over Rajasthan here will take Lucknow to the second spot in the standings. On that note, let's take a look at three match-ups that could have a big impact on the result of the LSG vs RR clash.
Marcus Stoinis (LSG) vs Yuzvendra Chahal (RR)
Marcus Stoinis stole the show with his batting exploits in LSG's previous contest against the Chennai Super Kings (CKS). The all-rounder notched up a spectacular ton, helping his team chase down 211 with six wickets in hand.
Stoinis was promoted to No. 3 in the batting order and remained unbeaten on 124 off just 63 balls. The swashbuckling batter hit six maximums and 13 fours during his entertaining knock.
However, the Australian has struggled to get going against spinners. He has been dismissed five times in seven innings by spin bowlers in IPL 2024.
RR might be tempted to use Yuzvendra Chahal against Stoinis. The ace leg spinner is currently the leading wicket-taker for Rajasthan this season, bagging 13 wickets in eight innings at an economy rate of 8.38.
Jos Buttler (RR) vs Ravi Bishnoi (LSG)
Lucknow's leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi has picked up five wickets from eight matches at an economy rate of 8.47. The talented youngster would want to turn things around in the second half of the competition as he looks to make a case for himself in India's 2024 T20 World Cup squad.
Getting the better of Rajasthan's opening batter Jos Buttler could do wonders for Bishnoi's confidence. Buttler has 285 runs to his name from seven games, including two brilliant centuries.
However, the star batter's strike rate drops to 132.66 against leg spinners. Although the sample size is quite small, he has failed to dominate Bishnoi so far in the IPL, managing just 14 runs off 15 balls.
Nicholas Pooran (LSG) vs Ravichandran Ashwin (RR)
Nicholas Pooran has dazzled viewers with impressive performances for Lucknow. This season, the southpaw has amassed 280 runs at a strike rate of 169.69.
The onus will be on Pooran to up the ante for LSG in the middle overs and towards the back end of the innings. However, RR's veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could make things challenging for the dynamic batter.
While Ashwin has claimed just one wicket in IPL 2024, his ability to outfox left-handed batters cannot be discounted. The seasoned campaigner has conceded just 25 runs off as many balls against Pooran in the IPL and has also dismissed him once.