Gujarat Titans are riding high at the top of the points table after a stellar start to the season. They face a stiff test against Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday at the Ekana Stadium. Lucknow has won three of their five matches so far, setting the stage for a closely contested clash.
Gujarat has a clear edge in their head-to-head record, having won four out of five encounters. Lucknow’s fast bowler Mayank Yadav is out with an injury, and his absence could be felt. Avesh Khan, who has been in top form, is likely to play a key role for Lucknow. He has previously troubled Gujarat’s openers, including Shubman Gill, who he has dismissed twice.
The match is scheduled for a 3:30 PM start, and the ground staff has prepared two pitches – one with black soil and the other a mix. Although it’s unclear which pitch will be used, the expectation is that it will be a high-scoring game, with 180 runs a likely target.
Key Players to Watch
Lucknow’s bowling attack, led by Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi, will be crucial in containing Gujarat’s strong batting lineup. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are the Titans’ key batsmen, while Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami will be instrumental in Lucknow’s bowling department.
Probable Lineups
- Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav (ruled out), Arshad Khan
- Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Kane Williamson, Rahul Tewatia, Sharfane Rutherford, David Miller, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, Darshan Nalkande, Jayant Yadav