The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be hosting the Mumbai Indians (MI) in a crucial game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday, May 16. Both teams are currently placed in the top four of the points table, but things could change quickly if one of them loses, with a majority of the teams still in contention to qualify for the playoffs. KL Rahul recorded centuries both times the two sides met in the previous edition.
However, the wicket-keeper batter has been ruled out of the competition and LSG is dealing with the setback under the leadership of Krunal Pandya. Lucknow recorded a memorable run chase against the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) away from home in their last contest and the upcoming game against MI will be their final home match of the season. MI, on the other hand, have shot upwards in the table primarily on the back of their batting prowess, which is in red-hot form at the moment.
On that note, Here are three player matchups to look forward to from the upcoming LSG vs MI clash in IPL 2023.
#1 Suryakumar Yadav vs Ravi Bishnoi
Suryakumar Yadav has been batting on another level, as he has been scoring runs at will at the Wankhede Stadium, but barring his splendid knock against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mohali, he has not really been among the runs in away games. Spin bowling has proven to be key to success in Lucknow, and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi will be LSG’s biggest hope against the in-form MI batter in the middle overs.
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Across the five innings that these two players have faced each other, Bishnoi has managed to take the prized wicket on three occasions, as well as contain him to just 23 runs off 20 deliveries at a strike rate of 115. Suryakumar had lost his wicket to the spinner during the first meeting between the two franchises at the Brabourne Stadium in IPL 2022.
#2 Quinton de Kock vs Piyush Chawla
KL Rahul’s injury has paved the way for Quinton de Kock’s return in the XI and he has looked sharp since recovering from his injury. However, the left-handed batter has been dismissed by leg spinners both times this season. With spin expected to be introduced early, the opener will have a testing time against the in-form Piyush Chawla. The duo has come across each other on three occasions, where Chawla has taken de Kock’s wicket in one game, and contained him to just nine runs at a strike rate of 69.23.
#3 Nicholas Pooran vs Chris Jordan
Nicholas Pooran is thriving in his role as a finisher with his new franchise. MI is struggling with their death bowling at the moment. While Akash Madhwal has proven to be a solid presence at the back end, they will also require Chris Jordan to step up. The England pacer came in as a replacement for Jofra Archer and has a huge responsibility on his shoulder. Jordan and Pooran have faced one other in eight games to date, with the Windies batter scoring 43 runs at a strike rate of 130 while losing his wicket once.
