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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will square off against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 11th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, March 30. Under the leadership of KL Rahul, LSG will aim to bounce back after suffering a 20-run defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur in their IPL 2024 opener. Having yet to open their account, the Super Giants are languishing at the bottom of the IPL 2024 standings.

On the other hand, Punjab Kings will look to return to winning ways after they lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by four wickets at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Earlier, the Shikhar Dhawan-led PBKS started their IPL 2024 campaign with a four-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in Mullanpur.

With one win and one loss, PBKS are currently placed fifth in the IPL 2024 standings with two points on the board.

Ahead of a crucial IPL 2024 clash, we look at the predicted XIs of both sides.

LSG Predicted XI

Quinton de Kock

LSG will hope that their star opening batter Quinton de Kock can return to form after he was dismissed cheaply against RR in their opening game. Since his IPL debut in 2013, the South African batter has amassed 2,911 runs in 97 IPL matches at an average of 31.99 and a strike rate of 134.09.

KL Rahul (captain/wicketkeeper)

LSG captain KL Rahul slammed his 34th IPL fifty against the Royals in Jaipur. Chasing 194, Rahul scored a brilliant 44-ball 58 to keep his side in the hunt. His knock included four fours and two sixes. The wicketkeeper-batter will aim to continue his scintillating form against PBKS.

Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal had a forgettable outing on his LSG debut after he failed to open his account against RR. Batting at number three, Padikkal was cleaned up by RR pacer Trent Boult. The southpaw will look to score big on Saturday, having accumulated 1,521 IPL runs in 58 matches at an average of 27.16 and a strike rate of 125.08.

Ayush Badoni

Young LSG batter Ayush Badoni struggled to get going in their IPL 2024 opener. Reeling at 10/2, Badoni came into bat at number four and soon perished after five deliveries. Having made his IPL debut in 2022, Badoni has scored 400 runs in 29 matches, including two fifties to his name. He will be eager to impress at home on Saturday.

Nicholas Pooran

West Indies cricketer Nicholas Pooran was the standout batter for LSG in their previous fixture. Batting at number six, Pooran scored an unbeaten 64 off just 41 balls against the Royals. He slammed four boundaries and as many sixes to keep LSG in the game. The swashbuckling left-hander will look to continue his magnificent form to guide his side to their first win this season.

Marcus Stoinis

Australian star all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was LSG’s leading run-scorer last season. In IPL 2023, the 34-year-old amassed 408 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 150 while also maintaining a decent average of 31.38. While Stoinis was dismissed cheaply against RR, LSG will once again rely on him with both bat and ball in Lucknow.

Krunal Pandya

All-rounder Krunal Pandya was the most economical bowler in LSG’s opening clash against RR. Despite not picking up a wicket, Pandya conceded just 19 runs in his quota of four overs. The 33-year-old will hold the key with his all-round capabilities against PBKS on Saturday.

Ravi Bishnoi

Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi produced a lacklustre performance in LSG’s opening encounter. Bishnoi was a touch expensive as he gave away 38 runs in his four overs. However, he bagged the important wicket of Shimron Hetmyer in their previous game. The India international will hope to impress in a quest for a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad.

Mohsin Khan

Left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan is expected to retain his place in LSG’s starting XI despite a poor outing in their last game. The 25-year-old conceded 45 runs in his quota of four overs. Mohsin earlier started his spell by removing RR’s opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. He will play a key role against PBKS.

Naveen-ul-Haq

Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq was the standout bowler for LSG in their first game. The right-arm pacer bagged the huge wickets of Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag to help his side restrict the Royals below 200. Naveen-ul-Haq will look to provide early breakthroughs to put pressure on the PBKS batting line-up.

Yash Thakur

LSG fast bowler Yash Thakur was expensive against the Royals. The 25-year-old gave away 43 runs in his three overs in Jaipur. The right-arm pacer will look to bounce back against PBKS to cement his place in the starting XI.

Impact Sub

Deepak Hooda/Amit Mishra

PBKS Predicted XI

Shikhar Dhawan (captain)

PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan has made a decent start to his IPL 2024 campaign. The southpaw has scored 67 runs in the first two matches at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 126.42. Shikhar will look to convert his starts to a big score against LSG.

Jonny Bairstow

England’s flamboyant batter Jonny Bairstow will aim to return to form after managing low scores in his previous two outings. Bairstow has scored just 17 runs in IPL 2024 so far. Overall, the right-handed batter has accumulated over 1,300 IPL runs in 41 matches, including one century and nine fifties to his name.

Prabhsimran Singh

Prabhsimran Singh was one of the standout players for PBKS last season. The hard-hitting batter amassed 358 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of over 150. While Prabhsimran has scored 51 runs this season, he will be eager to produce a big score against LSG on Saturday.

Liam Livingstone

Punjab Kings will once again bank on Liam Livingstone in the middle-overs. Livingstone has already scored 883 IPL runs in 34 matches at an impressive strike rate of 165.36 while also maintaining an average of 30.45. While Livingstone has got decent starts in his two knocks this season, he will look to convert them to a fifty or even a century in Lucknow.

Sam Curran

PBKS’ star all-rounder Sam Curran has scored 86 runs in the first two matches this season. Curran has been allowed to bat higher up the order and the southpaw has utilised his chances so far. However, the left-arm pacer will hope to improve his bowling, having scalped just a solitary wicket.

Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper)

Punjab Kings will once again rely on wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma to help them post a match-winning total on the board. Batting in the middle-order, Jitesh has scored just 36 runs in the two matches this season. He will look to impress to bolster his chances for a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad.

Shashank Singh

Shashank Singh has impressed for PBKS after he smashed an unbeaten 21 runs off just eight deliveries against RCB at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. Batting at number seven, Shashank hammered one four and two sixes to help PBKS post a good total in their last match. He will look to continue his good form.

Harpreet Brar

PBKS spinner Harpreet Brar produced an impressive spell against RCB. The 28-year-old left-arm spinner dismissed Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell to finish with figures of 4-0-13-2. He will once again hold the key in PBKS’ bowling department.

Harshal Patel

New recruit Harshal Patel has been expensive for PBKS this season. Despite bagging three wickets in two matches, Harshal has conceded 92 runs at an economy of 11.50. He will aim to bounce back against LSG on Saturday.

Kagiso Rabada

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada will once again be the go-to bowler for PBKS in Lucknow. The right-arm pacer has already scalped three wickets in two IPL 2024 games at an average of 19.67 and an economy of 7.38. Since his IPL debut in 2017, Rabada has picked 109 wickets in 71 matches.

Rahul Chahar

PBKS leg-spinner Rahul Chahar could play a pivotal role against LSG on Saturday. Chahar has already bagged 66 IPL wickets in 71 matches at an economy of 7.60. While Chahar has claimed just one wicket this season, he will be eager to add to his tally against a star-studded LSG batting line-up.

Impact Sub

Arshdeep Singh