Lucknow Super Giants will be hoping for a better performance from their batsmen in the crucial Indian Premier League match against Punjab Kings on Friday. So far in the middle of the league, both teams have won four out of seven matches and every match has become important now in the race for the playoffs which is getting tougher. The pitch in Lucknow hasn't been ideal for batting and skipper Lokesh Rahul's strike rate has been the talk of the town after they lost to Gujarat Titans chasing an easy target of 136 on Saturday. The team could not chase down 136 against Gujarat Titans. Rahul's strike rate has been 113.91 so far but he can do better than this. In the first-leg encounter between the two teams, Punjab defeated Lucknow by two wickets at their home ground. Sikandar Raza played an innings of 57 runs and also took a wicket. Supergiants can equalize the account of the previous defeat with a win.
Lucknow will miss the wood
PCA Stadium is yet to score 200 runs this season but the pitch is better than Lucknow. Lucknow's bowling attack has weakened in the absence of fast bowler Mark Wood. Wood has not played a single match since April 15 and the team is hopeful of his early return. Wood is their highest wicket-taker despite missing three matches.
Punjab captain Dhawan can return
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back after losing the last two matches. Regular skipper Shikhar Dhawan missed three matches due to a shoulder injury but could make a comeback in this match. Punjab have lost a few matches due to their mistakes but will not want to take any chances now. At the top of the order, Prabhsimran Singh and Matthew Short will have to play tight while Liam Livingstone has not yet appeared in his rhythm. Stand-in skipper Sam Curran put up a fine show against Mumbai Indians and would like to keep it going. Arshdeep Singh has been effective with both the new and the old ball. The team now has to choose between Kagiso Rabada and Nathan Ellis, which is not easy.
Possible playing 11 of both the teams
Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayer/Quinton de Kock, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ayush Badoni, Naveen-ul-Haq, Shivam Mavi, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan.
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Prabhsimran Singh, Matthew Short, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Shah Rukh Khan, Sam Karan, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Sikandar Raza, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar and Arshdeep Singh.
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