KKR vs LSG is likely to be an exciting clash between two franchises still in contention for a playoff spot in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has 12 points and need a big win to have any hope of finishing in the top four. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will qualify for the playoffs with a win and would be eyeing a clash with Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 by claiming a second spot in the points table.
Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata, will host the match on Saturday at 7:30 PM.
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR came up with the goods in a must-win game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) last week. However, the top order of Jason Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Venkatesh Iyer were dismissed cheaply. But Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh came to the franchise’s aid with half-centuries. With Andre Russell also in decent touch, KKR could make it tough for LSG bowlers.
Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine provided the breakthroughs in the middle overs against CSK. However, the batting-friendly track at Eden Gardens will pose a challenge for KKR spinners, who will be up against world-class T20 batters. The KKR fans will be hoping that the uncapped pace duo of Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana can make inroads in the powerplay.
Lucknow Super Giants
LSG will hope that its explosive batters can do the damage yet again this season. Quinton de Kock and Kyle Mayers have wreaked havoc in the powerplay, while Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran can score at will in the middle and death overs. Pooran made an unbeaten 13-ball 44 in the victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) last week. Uncapped Prerak Mankad, who replaced Deepak Hooda, struck his maiden half-century in the same game.
The Lucknow-based franchise will likely field an all-Indian bowling lineup. The pace bowling lineup includes Avesh Khan, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, and Moshsin Khan. Yudhvir grabbed a wicket in the powerplay against SRH. Stand-in captain Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi will be the two spinners in the playing 11. Krunal took 2/24 against SRH, while Bishnoi leads LSG’s bowling charts this season with 14 wickets.
KKR Vs LSG Head-To-Head
LSG had won both its fixtures against KKR in IPL. Quinton de Kock hit a half-century in the last meeting between both teams. Avesh Khan took a match-winning 3/19. For KKR, Andre Russell top-scored with a 19-ball 45.
KKR vs LSG Last Two Meetings
KKR & LSG IPL 2023 Stats
- Top Run-scorer: Rinku Singh – 407 runs (KKR); Marcus Stoinis – 368 runs (LSG)
- Most Wickets: Varun Chakravarthy – 19 wickets (KKR); Ravi Bishnoi – 14 wickets (LSG)
- Most Sixes: Rinku Singh – 25 sixes (KKR); Marcus Stoinis – 26 sixes (LSG)