We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
The last five games at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune have been won by the teams defending a score. During these games, the average first and second innings scores read 169 and 139 respectively.
Teams
Probable XI for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Quinton de Kock* (wk), KL Rahul (c), Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis*, Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, Jason Holder*, Dushmantha Chameera*, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan
Probable XI for Gujarat: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller*, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan*, Pradeep Sangwan, Lockie Ferguson*, Alzarri Joseph*, Mohammed Shami
Power Players
KL Rahul might have accumulated 451 runs, including two unbeaten centuries in this edition, but he has also been dismissed for a diamond and two golden ducks – one of which came against Gujarat earlier in the tournament.
When Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat met earlier in this edition, Mohammad Shami rattled the LSG top order comprising KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, and Manish Pandey. His role with the new ball will be vital for Gujarat.
Smart Picks
After being dismissed for a duck against Gujarat in the opening encounter, Shubman Gill got 84 and 96 in the next two games. Thereafter, he also went through a lean patch for the next 7 games. Finally, in the previous match against Mumbai, he responded with a breezy 52.
By opening the batting and scoring 209 runs at 34.83 in 6 innings, Wriddhiman Saha has helped fantasy players nudge ahead. He has also grabbed 5 catches with the gloves.
David Miller has been consistently winning games for Gujarat down the order. Interestingly, he is yet to be dismissed in Pune. In the ongoing edition, he has scores of 94* and 20* at the venue.
Mohsin Khan’s wicket-taking ability has been a big plus for LSG. With both new and old ball, the left-arm seamer has been making his presence felt.
Hardik Pandya’s fitness and drop in form might be a concern for Gujarat. After scoring 295 runs and picking 4 wickets in the first 6 matches, he has only added 38 runs in his last four outings. Furthermore, he hasn’t bowled for the past 5 games.
After going wicketless against Bangalore and Punjab, Avesh Khan returned with match-winning figures of 3 for 19 against Kolkata on Sunday. Overall, he has taken 14 wickets till now.
Fantasy Flops
Although Lockie Ferguson has been trying hard to make an impact, he has struggled with consistency. For his standards, 12 wickets are ordinary.
Marcus Stoinis hasn’t been impressive. Despite his reputation of being a match-winning all-rounder, he has managed only 118 runs and a wicket. Being constantly shuffled in the batting order hasn’t helped his cause either.
Surprisingly, Rashid Khan too hasn’t delivered as per his usual standards. In 11 matches, he has gone wicketless on four occasions. On the batting front, though, his highest score (40) of the season came at Pune.
Also read: Rajasthan vs Delhi Fantasy Cricket Tips
Match Preview
Who would have thought that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat would have plenty of positive commonalities towards the business end of the tournament?
As things stand, the debutants are not only sitting pretty at the top (8 wins each in 11 games) of the points table but also are the front-runners to qualify for the playoffs.
Earlier in the competition, Gujarat beat LSG by 5 wickets. Given the balance and depth of both sides, we can expect a ripper of a contest.
Time: 10 May, 7.30 PM IST