The KL Rahul-led Lucknow Supergiants will be one of the two new franchises participating in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Obviously, as the new kids on the block, they will have a certain amount of extra pressure on their shoulders heading into such a marquee tournament.
One of their main challenges will be to identify the correct set of players to start of their proceedings for the first couple of matches. And so in this article, we’ll try to lend a hand to the LSG think-tank and their fanbase with our analysis of the best possible starting eleven for the team.
The top-order
Captain KL Rahul conveniently picks himself as the team’s de-facto opener and wicket-keeper; but it’s worth noting that the his opening partner, Quinton de Kock, can also take up the gloves should the need arise. This explosive batting pair will look to maximise their run-scoring chances in the powerplay, and will be the core of Lucknow Supergiants’ batting strength.
And to complement all the explosive fireworks at the top, Manish Pandey- with his vast experience of stabilizing and anchoring the innings- presents himself as the perfect candidate for the one-down position. Although Pandey and Rahul’s occasional tendencies to gradually build their innings could be a bit of a problem at times, which is something the LSG think-tank should look to address ahead of the season.
Backup options: Manan Vohra, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Karan Sharma
The middle-order
Most of Lucknow Supergiants’ batting fireworks come at the top of the order; but that’s not to say the batting lineup loses steam after the first few names. Marcus Stoinis- one of LSG’s three pre-auction drafted players- should slot in at number 5 as the team’s de-facto finisher.
There’ll be a truckload of IPL experience on either side of him in the form of Deepak Hooda at number 4, and Jason Holder at number 6. What this also means, is that Lucknow has at least 6-8 overs of bowling options available in the top 6 itself, which is a statement to the depth of LSG’s all-round depth.
The all-rounder bandwagon continues down till numbers 7 and 8, as Krunal Pandya and Krishnappa Gowtham slot in at the respective positions. There is a good mix of explosiveness and stability in the batting order- along with some quality bowling options- which makes the squad look even more exciting than it already is.
Backup players: Ayush Badoni, Karan Sharma
The bowling attack
A lot of the names from the middle order mentioned above will also double up as crucial members of LSG’s bowling attack. Holder and Krunal will have to bowl their four overs on an almost regular basis, while the likes of Stoinis, Gowtham, and Hooda will also have to pitch in as and when necessary.
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The only pure-bowlers of the side, so to speak, who should start in LSG’s first XI, are Mark Wood, Avesh Khan, and Ravi Bishnoi. Once again, there’s a good mix of promise and experience in the bowling attack- something that seems to bit of a theme with the Lucknow team as a whole- which makes their playing XI one of, if not the strongest starting XI of the IPL.
Backup players: Ankit Rajpoot, Shahbaz Nadeem, Dushmantha Chameera, Mohsin Khan.
Playing XI: KL Rahul (c, wk), Quinton de Kock, Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Krunal Pandya, Krishnappa Gowtham, Mark Wood, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan