Punjab Kings (PBKS) will play Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 42 of IPL 2022 on 29 April, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Gahunje, Pune.
This is the first time these two sides will meet, and both teams will consider that there is still everything to play for as the midway point of the regular season is reached. Lucknow, in their inaugural campaign, currently occupy the fourth place, but Punjab are just two points and two places further back, although their net run rate is significantly worse. They have both played the same number of games.
The two teams also come into this match off wins. Punjab Beat the Chennai Super Kings by 11 runs, while Lucknow became the latest team to inflict a heavy defeat on the Mumbai Indians.
Punjab have reaped the reward in that win over Chennai of changing their team, bringing in all-rounder Rishi Dhawan for his first IPL appearance since 2016, after some impressive performances in domestic cricket. They also dropped Nathan Ellis and Vaibhav Arora for Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Both played a part in the win, Bhanuka with a 32-ball 42 and Rishi Dhawan with some controlled death bowling. Shikhar Dhawan, too, showed a welcome return to form with the bat, making 88 In 59 balls.
K.L. Rahul has led Lucknow from the front. He has already got two hundreds this season, including one against the hapless Mumbai. However, Lucknow have been over-dependent on him, and have been vulnerable if he is dismissed cheaply. Others, like Quinton de Kock, Manish Pandey, and Krunal Pandya, need to take more of the strain if they are to sustain their playoff challenge.
Likely XIs:
Punjab Kings: Mayank Agarwal (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Odean Smith, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Rishi Dhawan. Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Sandeep Sharma, Arshdeep Singh,
Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock (wk), K.L. Rahul (c), Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Dushmantha Chameera, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan.
Fantasy Tips:
• Pick Shikhar Dhawan as he has signalled he has found his form again with another big innings.
• When Rabada is bowling well, Punjab have a good chance. This could be the match for him to deliver a decisive spell.
• All eyes will be on Rahul. If he produces again for his side, they will have a good chance, pick him.
Prediction:
PBKS need the win more, and, at this stage of the season, they know that it is vital they begin putting together a sequence of victories.
Streaming:
Match 42 between PBKS and LSG will start at 19:30 on Friday, April 29th. You can watch the match on the Star Network and Hotstar.