Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL 2023) has started with a bang with the defending champions, Gujarat Titans (GT) starting their campaign with a win against four times champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Now, CSK will lock horns against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Monday at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai in the 6th game of IPL 2023.
GT vs CSK IPL 2023
Chennai Super Kings is coming into this game with a loss in the first game. They batted first after Gujarat Titans won the toss. They lost Devon Conway early as Mohammad Shami was on the money with his lengths. He got him in his 2nd over. After that, Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad had a small partnership but Rashid Khan came into the attack and got the former in his very first over.
It was only Ruturaj Gaikwad who is going hard at the GT bowlers. He stitched a 50+ run stand with Ambati Rayudu, but the Irish seamer J Little broke that partnership.
CSK lost momentum and at one stage, they were thinking of 200+, but they were restricted to 178. Skipper MS Dhoni played a small inning of 14 off 7 to give CSK a respectable total.
When GT came out to chase the target, they went off to a flier with Wriddhiman Saha playing a handy cameo of 25 off 16 balls. Sai Sudharsan came in as an impact player and made a valuable partnership with Shubman Gill. Shubman continues to bat well and gets to his first fifty in the IPL 2023.
At one stage, GT needed 30 in the last 3 overs and R Hangargekar bowled an excellent over and went for just 7 runs. Rashid Khan came in and made life easier for Rahul Tewatia, who was struggling to get going.
In the end, Rahul Tewatia hit a six and a four in the last over to get the team over the line. GT won the game with 5 wickets and 4 balls to spare.
On the other end, LSG is off to a winning start in IPL 2023 and will come into this game with a lot more confidence.
DC vs LSG IPL 2023
Lucknow Super Giants batted first and they lost their skipper early in the inning. Kyle Mayers then took charge and went after the Delhi Capitals (DC) bowlers. He and Deepak Hooda made a partnership of 79 runs for the 2nd wicket. The latter was just holding the one end and the former was playing his shots.
LSG lost a couple of early wickets after that partnership. But Nicholas Pooran came in and played a quick-fire knock of 36 off 21 balls. A Badoni played a cameo of 18 off 7 balls and LSG finished with a good total of 193. K Mayers was the highest run scorer in that inning with 73 off 38 balls.
Khaleel Ahmed was the pick of the bowler for DC. He took 2 wickets and went for just 30 runs in his 4 overs.
When DC openers came out to chase the target, they went off to a flier and added 41 runs in quick time. But as soon as Mark Wood came into the attack, he changed the course of the match with 3 wickets in real quick time.
Rilee Rossouw came to the crease and was going well until Ravi Bishnoi got him in the 12th over of the inning. The South African scored 30 off 20 balls with 3 fours and a six.
DC skipper David Warner completes his first fifty of IPL 2023 but he was running out of partners.
In the end, LSG won the game comfortably by 50 runs. Mark Wood picked up the fifer and becomes the man of the match. Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi also got two wickets each. David Warner was the only hope for DC, who scored 56 off 48 balls.
Now, CSK will play in their home and it is their strength. They will play to their strength and will use their spinners well to exploit the conditions against the opposition. The pitch in Chennai is traditionally slow and will assist the spinners more. Let’s see the predicted XI of both teams.
CSK vs LSG Probable Playing XI
Chennai Super Kings
It is too early for them to change just after the first game. CSK is known for its consistency in playing XI.
CSK predicted XI- Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c) and (wk), M Santner, D Chahar, R Hangargekar, Tushar Deshpande
Lucknow Super Giants
LSG will not be eager to make a change in this winning combination. Quinton de Kock might not be available for the 2nd game as well. So Kyle Mayers will continue to open the inning with KL Rahul.
LSG Predicted XI – K Mayers, KL Rahul (c), D Hooda, Krunal Pandya, M Stoinis, N Pooran (wk), Ayush Badoni, M Wood, J Unadkat, R Bishnoi, Avesh Khan
CSK vs LSG Pitch Report:
A spinner’s paradise, the pitch at Chepauk is likely to be favorable for them. If the captain wins the toss, they should bowl first. Anything over 160 is a good total on this wicket.
Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants (CSK vs LSG): Players to watch out for
Chennai Super Kings
Devon Conway
The New Zealander will be one of the players to watch out for in the 2nd game. He missed out on an opportunity in the first game. Devon Conway is one of the best T20 players in the world.
Ravindra Jadeja
His form in the last couple of years has been phenomenal. Jadeja will be a key for CSK with both bat and ball.
Lucknow Super Giants
KL Rahul
He is known to play big innings in the IPL and is doing well in the last 3-4 seasons. LSG will expect him to go big against CSK.
Ravi Bishnoi
He will be effective on that Chennai wicket. The leg spinner is a genuine wicket-taker and can control the game.
Let’s see who will have the upper hand in this game. Will it be CSK or LSG?
