Picking a combined LSG-DC playing XI for IPL 2024 ft. Marcus Stoinis, Tristan Stubbs
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) meet Delhi Capitals (DC) in match number 26 of IPL 2024 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, April 12. LSG are third in the points table, with three wins and one defeat from four games, while DC are last, with one win and four losses from five games.
Lucknow began their IPL 2024 campaign with a 20-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. Since then, they have won three straight matches. In their previous game, they got the better of Gujarat Titans by 33 runs at home. Batting first, LSG put up 163-5 before cleaning up GT for 130 in 18.5 overs.
Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, suffered a 29-run loss to Mumbai Indians in their previous match. Bowling first, DC failed to restrict MI's batters, who put up a big score of 234-5. Delhi responded with 205-8 but never really threatened the target.
LSG have won all three matches played between the two sides. As Lucknow Super Giants take on Delhi Capitals on Friday, we pick a combined XI of both sides for IPL 2024:
Openers: Quinton de Kock, Prithvi Shaw
LSG's Quinton de Kock would partner DC's Prithvi Shaw in the combined XI, forming an aggressive pair at the top of the order.
De Kock has two fifties in IPL 2024. The left-hander smashed 54 off 38 against Punjab Kings and followed up with 81 off 56 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Shaw has only played three matches for DC in IPL 2024 but has made an impact in two. He smacked 43 off 27 in the win over Chennai Super Kings in Visakhapatnam and contributed 66 off 40 in the high-scoring game against MI at the Wankhede.
Middle-order/ All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nicholas Pooran (c), Tristan Stubbs, Krunal Pandya, Axar Patel
Seasoned all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been a key figure in Lucknow's success in IPL 2024.
He chipped in with a cameo and one wicket in the win over RCB. Against Gujarat Titans, he top-scored for LSG, with 58 off 43, hitting four fours and two sixes in a crucial knock.
DC skipper Rishabh Pant also finds a place in the combined Lucknow-Delhi XI. The aggressive keeper-batter contributed 51 off 32 in the win over CSK and followed it up with 55 off 25 against KKR. He, however, won't lead the team, as he has struggled as captain.
Nicholas Pooran would be one of the finishers in the combined LSG-DC XI. The left-hander has been in brilliant touch in IPL 2024. In four matches, he has clobbered 178 runs at a strike rate of 169.52. The 28-year-old has been dismissed only once in the tournament so far. Pooran would also lead the combined XI.
Tristan Stubbs has been among the few positives for Delhi Capitals in an otherwise disappointing campaign so far. The talented South African batter hammered 44* off 23 against Rajasthan, 54 off 32 against Kolkata and 71* off 25 in the loss to Mumbai. DC could perhaps promote him in the batting order.
In Krunal Pandya and Axar Patel, the combined XI would have two quality all-rounders. Krunal whacked an unbeaten 43 off 22 against Punjab Kings and shone with brilliant figures of 3-11 in the win over Gujarat Titans.
Axar has not done much with the bat, barring a couple of cameos, but he has done a good job with the ball in hand. He has picked up four wickets and has been reasonably economical in most games. Against MI, he picked up 2-35, including a brilliant return catch to dismiss Ishan Kishan.
Bowlers: Khaleel Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur
Delhi Capitals left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed would bring variety to the bowling attack. He has been among the wickets in all of DC's matches in IPL 2024. In five games, he has claimed seven wickets at an average of 24.29.
LSG leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has only picked up two wickets in four matches so far. He took a sensational return catch to dismiss Kane Williamson against GT. Given his talent and attitude, it's difficult to leave him out of the playing XI.
Lucknow pacer Yash Thakur also finds a place in the combined XI following his exploits in the triumph over Gujarat Titans. Thakur picked up 5-30 to bowl away GT as they fell way short in a chase of 164.