LSG Playing XI vs RR – Predicted Lineup & Team Analysis

RR: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel

Rajasthan Royals would have a sheer upper hand over any side in this TATA IPL in this department. The Royals will have Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening for them. Jaiswal has been in good touch and has played some top-notch knocks. However, despite his top knocks, he has just been playing a supporting role to the prodigy who has amassed 246 runs in 6 matches and is their highest run getter.

These two will be backed by Dhruv Jurel, who has delivered with the bat time to time to secure wins for his side. The Indian batting trio makes RR's top order one of the best in this edition of the IPL.

LSG: Mitchell Marsh, Ayush Badoni and Rishabh Pant

On the other hand, the Lucknow Super Giants have struggled with their top three. With Mitchell Marsh a constant option at the top, several opening combinations have been tried by the LSG management. All combinations went in vain, and even Marsh’s form has been a massive concern. Ayush Badoni was promoted to open the innings against PBKS, and he might continue in the role. Skipper Rishabh Pant is this season's no. 3, and he has also failed to impress with the bat.

LSG: Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, and Mukul Choudhary

This phase of the batting innings is a common weak point for either of these two teams. The Lucknow Super Giants have struggled in the middle overs. Since their players have lost touch, middle-phase run scoring has been tough. Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram, who bat in the middle order, have had a long void of runs, especially with Pooran, who has a strike rate below 80 in this year's IPL.

RR: Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, and Donovan Ferreira

Rajasthan, though have scored several runs in the middle overs, the batters to do so are among the top 3. But whenever the top order has failed for RR, their middle order could not come to their rescue. This was evident against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and in the last game against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Riyan Parag’s batting form has been questioned on multiple occasions, and another West Indian, Shimron Hetmyer, has struggled with form for the Royals.

The Rajasthan Royals might have turned out to be successful, but they have not shown much dependency on all-rounders. Ravindra Jadeja remains the only recognised all-rounder; however, Parag has not always used him to his full potential.

Lucknow Super Giants do not have tagged all-rounders, as Mitchell Marsh plays as a specialised batter, and Aiden Markram or Ayush Badoni are part-time off-spinners and not all-rounders in general. LSG have not picked many all-rounders and largely depends on the impact player rule for a balanced XI.

RR: Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, and Tushar Deshpande

Another common point between the two teams is that both of them have outperformed with the ball.

Rajasthan Royals have had immense success with the new ball, with Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger picking wickets with the new ball. After the powerplay ends, the spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Ravindra Jadeja have dominated the batters, every time they have been called in to bowl. The bowlers have been taking wickets with the new ball and are economical at the death, which makes it the perfect bowling deck.

LSG: Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, M Siddharth, and Avesh Khan.

On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants have bagged a fine new-ball pacer in Mohammed Shami. Prince Yadav has been an exceptional find this season. With the pace ability improved to a massive extent, LSG have struggled in the spin department. Digvesh Rathi seemed like a one-season wonder and M Siddharth, despite all his variations, does not actually seem like an attacking option in the middle overs.

The Rajasthan Royals have mostly used Ravi Bishnoi as the bowling impact player. However, in some games, Sandeep Sharma, the experienced seamer, has also been used for the same purpose. They have not used batting impact players so far in this season.

Though the Lucknow Super Giants have mostly used Digvesh Rathi or Prince Yadav as impact stars, this might be likely that they might have to use Matthew Breetzke from the upcoming games, as their middle order has been struggling for form.

Making tactical changes might be important for both teams. RR, considering their lack of runs in the death should consider players like Shubham Dubey as Impact players, since they have Ravindra Jadeja and skipper Parag to function as additional bowlers.

LSG should make a move from Nicholas Pooran as Matthew Breetzke has been waiting for his first chance in the tournament. They could also operate with Mohammed Shami in the middle overs and use Avesh Khan in the death which worked for them in former games.

Who will win the LSG vs RR match?

Rajasthan Royals

Who will score the most runs in the match?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Who will pick the most wickets in the match?

Ravi Bishnoi

What will be the average first innings scores at the Ekana?

160-170 runs