IPL 2024: Predicting 3 players who could pick up the most wickets in today's LSG vs RR match
It's the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hosting the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow today in IPL 2024. This match doesn't involve any big three teams, nor does it have too many potential players for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Still, it's set to be one of the most enthralling matches to watch in the season.
Why? Both LSG and RR have recently secured two of the best chases in IPL history at Chepauk and Eden Gardens, respectively. Both games were less about tactical superiority and more about a close-knit side coming out on top against all odds in away games through sheer will and determination.
Over the years, these are the kind of wins that have embellished the path of eventual champions. RR are now fighting to become the first team to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. Whereas, LSG would be hoping to get to 12 points and take a deserved jump away from the muddle that's slowly forming in mid-table.
As has been the case in recent times at this venue, the winner would almost certainly be decided by the team that bowls better and finds more match-winners. Below, we have predicted three bowlers who can play that role best.
#3 Ravi Bishnoi
India's preferred leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi hasn't been in his best form in IPL 2024 yet but this could be the match he changes that. The Ekana Cricket Stadium has offered substantial help for spinners in recent games and he has been one of the biggest benefactors of it, picking four wickets in his last three games here.
RR have some excellent players of spin in their line-up but most of their top-order batters either have a negative match-up against wrist spin or have got out to Bishnoi previously in the IPL. With a bit of support from the other end and some luck, he could be one of the best bowlers on Saturday.
#2 Sandeep Sharma
RR's veteran pacer Sandeep Sharma has been extraordinarily brilliant in IPL 2024. He showed signs of it in Jaipur when RR hosted LSG by bowling a match-winning spell in the death overs and also taking the wicket of KL Rahul.
He missed out on a few games due to injury but then came back with a five-wicket haul against MI in the last match. There's no reason why he can't have a similar impact against LSG, which are a much better batting side than MI but haven't had too many good performances from their lower order this season. The pitch in Lucknow will support his variations and cutters too.
Interestingly, Sandeep has never gone wicketless against LSG. In his previous two appearances, he took the wickets of Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis, the other two important performers for the franchise in IPL 2024.
#1 Yuzvendra Chahal
There aren't many better leg-spinners for a helpful wicket in the IPL than Yuzvendra Chahal. He's currently the joint-highest wicket-taker this season and has been in stunning form except for a couple of games. Most of it has been due to him increasing his pace and being braver with his variations.
That skill would be quite handy at the Ekana. Although he hasn't yet played here, he has six wickets against LSG in four matches, including a brilliant four-wicket haul at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2022. Apart from Rahul, Chahal has had the better of most LSG batters multiple times.
If RR manage to get Rahul out early or keep him quiet from the other end, Chahal might be able to pick a big haul in the middle overs.