Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat Titans (GT) will clash 21st match of the ongoing IPL 2024 tonight.
LSG will come into the contest after consecutive victories against Punjab Kings and RCB. While KL Rahul’s LSG team clearly have the advantage with home support and a higher standing in the IPL 2024 rankings, they have yet to overcome the Gujarat Titans in their four previous encounters.
Following a narrow 20-run loss to Rajasthan Royals, the LSG squad, led by KL Rahul, made comeback by defeating Punjab Kings and RCB in successive matches. Fast bowler Mayank Yadav was exceptional in both games and was rightfully named 'Player of the Match' in LSG’s two triumphs.
Opener Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul, and middle-order powerhouse Nicholas Pooran have also been in fine form for LSG recently, emerging as their key batters. LSG currently sit at fourth place on the IPL 2024 points table with two wins out of three matches, placing them ahead of Gujarat Titans due to a superior Net Run Rate (NRR).
Under the leadership of new captain Shubman Gill, Gujarat Titans suffered a close defeat to Punjab Kings in a thrilling last-over encounter at home. With two victories and two losses, they are positioned at seventh place on the 10-team IPL 2024 points table.
As was the case last season, captain Shubman Gill is also the top scorer for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024, amassing 164 runs from just four innings. B Sai Sudharsan has also contributed with 160 runs from four outings, while players like David Miller and Rahul Tewatia have consistently performed well in the latter stages of matches.
Apart from Mohit Sharma, bowling remains a major concern for the Gujarat Titans. While the experienced speedster has taken seven wickets from four innings, teammates like Umesh Yadav and Rashid Khan are yet to make an impact this season.
Likely lineups
Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mayank Yadav and Manimaran Siddharth.
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Kane Williamson, Vijay Shankar, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Umesh Yadav and Darshan Nalkande.
Prediction
Owing to their home advantage, recent form and superior IPL 2024 standings; LSG will start out as favourites to upstage Gujarat Titans in number 21 of the season.