LSG vs RCB: Sanjay Manjrekar Predicts The Winner Of IPL 2022 Eliminator

Sanjay Manjrekar has supported Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to overcome Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2022 Eliminator at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Manjrekar accepts that with captain Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, whose “gear has changed,” the team has more “pedigree players” than the Super Giants. He feels these players have the experience and the “big match temperament” to perform under the high tension of an eliminator.

Sanjay Manjrekar Backs RCB To Win Against LSG

The former Indian batter told ESPNcricinfo:

“I would like to back Bangalore because they have the pedigree players, the big-stage players. If you see Faf du Plessis’ IPL record, his numbers are even better in the playoffs. Virat Kohli’s gear looks like it has changed too. So the big-match temperament, the ability to perform on the big stage, and to handle pressure – Bangalore is perhaps a bit ahead in all that.”

Du Plessis’ average goes somewhat lower in the playoff games – from 34.82 overall to 31.63 – yet his strike rate increments by five to the north of 135. The in-form South African was likewise the Player of the Match in 2021 final for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with his 59-ball 86 conveying his group to a triumphant aggregate.

Kohli, in the meantime, played a splendid thump in the must-dominate game against table-clinchers Gujarat Titans (GT) last week, scoring all over the ground for a 54-ball 73 in a triumph. He’s had an intense season in any case, averaging 23.77 and striking at 117.94.

The Royal Challengers have arrived at the IPL playoff games for the third continuous year on the rear of eight victories from 14 matches. Albeit the Super Giants dominated an additional one game, they lost their only duel against du Plessis’ men by 18 runs.

Marcus Stoinis Failure Hurting LSG: Sanjay Manjrekar

The Super Giants also are an even side yet their middle order’s fanciful form is a reason to worry going into the Eliminator. Manjrekar feels the issue is established in all-rounder Marcus Stoinis’ batting form (147 runs from 14 games) and could be revised by advancing him and Jason Holder in the batting order. He explained:

“Their strategy has been to push the young players after the top three during the slightly more comfortable and easier [phase]. Stoinis and Holder stay behind for the last-minute acceleration. Stoinis’ failure is hurting them. He was outstanding for Delhi as the power-hitter so it seems like his lack of contribution is affecting them.

In big matches, I believe Stoinis and Holder should each come one position up. I think Krunal Pandya will certainly play the next match so their batting will be better off with him. Currently, everything seems dependent on top three.”

Ravi Bishnoi Has To Learn From Yuzvendra Chahal: Sanjay Manjrekar

While the quick bowling has likewise been wonderful, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has been unable to match his friends in terms of wickets. Manjrekar said the young spinner ought to gain from Yuzvendra Chahal and bowl with more air on a straighter line.

He likewise prompted the team against seeing him as a “four-over bowler” in each match. Manjrekar added:

“One thing we have seen is they don’t use just five bowlers, sometimes six-seven bowling options are deployed. I have said it time and again, Bishnoi is bowling flatter and away from the stumps whereas Chahal bowls slow and at stumps so you don’t get the chance to free your arms to hit it.

Bishnoi will have to do that. I felt he was trying that in the last one-two matches but LSG shouldn’t expect him to be a four-over bowler. If it’s not his day, there’s no need to give him four overs. I think the pitch won’t help him here either.”

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