LSG vs GT Match Prediction: Who will win today's IPL 2023 match?
Ever since their introduction to the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Gujarat Titans (GT) have performed quite well.
Hardik Pandya and Co. secured an unprecedented title triumph last year, while KL Rahul's men went as far as the Eliminator before falling to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). This time around, both teams have started their campaign on a positive note.
The Super Giants have four wins from six matches to be placed second in the points table, while the Titans have three from five to be just inside the playoff spots. LSG have relied on home wins to further their case, and the Ekana Stadium will play host to this fixture on Saturday, April 22.
LSG and GT met twice in IPL 2022, and the defending champions came out on top on both occasions. They first beat Lucknow by five wickets at the start of the competition before sealing a comprehensive 62-run win towards the end of the league phase.
IPL 2023, LSG vs GT Match Prediction: Lucknow turn to home comfort against inconsistent Gujarat
LSG have had to shuffle a few things around in the bowling department this year.
Mark Wood's availability has been under the scanner throughout the tournament, and the Englishman is reportedly dealing with an illness right now. Naveen-ul-Haq stepped in for Wood quite seamlessly in the Super Giants' previous game, but bowling at the Ekana Stadium might be a different proposition altogether.
LSG's spin attack is potent, with Ravi Bishnoi leading the lineup and veteran leggie Amit Mishra for support. Krunal Pandya and Krishnappa Gowtham are also in the mix, but skipper Rahul hasn't marshaled his resources very well. That was especially evident in their home loss to the Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Lucknow has problems in the batting department, though. KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers haven't clicked in unison; it could even be argued that the former hasn't clicked at all this season.
With Deepak Hooda struggling to buy a run at No. 3, they have been heavily reliant on the likes of Nicholas Pooran to bail them out of trouble.
GT, on the other hand, have been slightly inconsistent this year. They collapsed in rather embarrassing fashion against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as Rinku Singh plundered five sixes in the final over.
Although the Titans recovered with a win over PBKS, their troubles while defending totals came to the fore against RR in the previous game.
More importantly, GT haven't relied heavily on their spinners in IPL 2023. Rashid Khan has been excellent as expected, but Rahul Tewatia hasn't bowled a single ball while R Sai Kishore hasn't played a single game. Noor Ahmad was used as an impact player against the Royals but the move didn't pay off.
In Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan, Gujarat have two excellent players of spin. If the duo bat through, they will have an excellent chance of taking two points away from Lucknow. Others like Vijay Shankar and Hardik Pandya, however, haven't appeared to be assured against spin.
GT's biggest strength is chasing, but that could work against them in this contest. LSG have defended totals well over their time in the IPL, and the venue will also play into their hands.
While the Titans appear to be the more settled outfit, the Super Giants can be backed to pull off an upset.
Prediction: LSG to win Match 30 of IPL 2023.