[ad_1]
One of the youngest franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have been a part of the cash-rich league for two seasons now. As they head into their third season, LSG fans will hope for title glory having reached the playoffs in the previous two editions. Interestingly, Lucknow Super Giants have never lost a game against Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad despite the other three teams having more experience of playing in the league.
Ahead of the new season, LSG team picked six new players at the IPL mini-auction in December 2023. They signed Shivam Mavi in an INR 6.40 crore deal and Mohd. Arshad Khan for INR 20 lakh to strengthen their pace attack.
LSG also spent INR 2.40 crore on Manimaran Siddharth, a left-arm spinner hailing from Tamil Nadu to accompany Bishnoi in the team’s spin attack. They also roped in all-rounder Arshin Kulkarni for INR 20 lakh to add to the numbers in their squad. Their two overseas additions at the mini-auction were David Willey for INR 2 crore and Ashton Turner for INR 20 lakh.
The Super Giants will kickstart their IPL 2024 season against Rajasthan Royals on March 24. As Lucknow Super Giants’ young team prepares for another IPL season, let’s look at their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Strengths
LSG boast quality batters who have shown their prowess in the international circuit. The likes of Devdutt Padikkal, Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul, Kyle Mayers and Nicholas Pooran can all be match-winners with the bat on their day. Their solid batting lineup on paper could make it relatively easy for LSG to set decent targets or chase high scores while batting second.
Furthermore, LSG are spoiled for choice as far as top-class all-rounders that can add to the balance of the team is concerned. The likes of Mayers, Willey, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, and Marcus Stoinis give LSG a variety of all-around options who are capable of making their presence felt with both bat and ball in hand.
Weaknesses
Lucknow Super Giants’ pace attack will need to perform at its best if the team is to be successful in IPL 2024. They have struggled in death overs in past seasons and will need to perform much better with the ball in the closing stages of the innings to give their batters a fighting chance.
Bowlers like Shivam Mavi, Shamar Joseph, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur, and Naveen-ul-Haq come with great potential but translating that into performances on a consistent basis will be the need of the hour for Lucknow once the new season gets underway. Spinners Amit Mishra and Ravi Bishnoi will also have to be at their best, especially in the middle overs for LSG to enjoy a solid IPL 2024 campaign.
Opportunities
LSG’s Indian talents have shown great promise on the domestic circuit and the franchise will hope that the likes of Mavi and Siddharth, both of whom were bought at the mini-auction can carry their form into IPL 2024.
Meanwhile, Ayush Badoni, and Ravi Bishnoi will be hoping to kick on after having good outings in IPL 2023. Mohsin Khan, who took 14 wickets in nine games in IPL 2022 before injuries disrupted him in 2023 is another Indian player that will have a point to prove. Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq is also a player to keep an eye on as he looks to have an impact with the ball after a decent debut season which saw him take 11 wickets in eight matches last year.
Threats
A lack of depth as far as their bowling and batting options are concerned could pose a problem for LSG. Mavi who hasn’t played much cricket of late will be in search of match fitness, while an injury to one of their other frontline pacers may turn out to be a massive setback for the side as was the case last season when Mark Wood pulled out of the team due to workload management issues.
Similarly, on the batting front, last season witnessed KL Rahul play just nine games due to injury. LSG without their skipper in Rahul, who has had his injury concerns of late, will certainly find it difficult to cope with the demands of the IPL, which only seems to get more intense and competitive with each passing season.
Probable Playing XII
Devdutt Padikkal, Quinton de Kock, Deepak Hooda, KL Rahul (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Shivam Mavi, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Amit Mishra (impact sub)
Topics mentioned in this article
[ad_2]
Source link