Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 IPL
Lucknow Super Giants take on Punjab Kings in the 2023 Indian Premier League.
The match is scheduled to start at 7.30pm local time (3pm GMT) on Saturday, April 14.
The match will be played at Ekana Sports City Stadium in Lucknow.
Lucknow Super Giants will be looking to make it three wins in a row, and four for the season following a last-gasp victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last outing.
There was last-ball controversy in their one-wicket win, with an unsuccessful run-out at the non-striker's end by Harshal Patel causing the final ball to be bowled again. A fumble by Dinesh Karthik allowed Avesh Khan to stumble through for a single, meaning LSG reached their target with zero balls remaining.
There have been varying fortunes for Punjab Kings up to this point in the season, having been on the end of two defeats after they started the season perfectly with two victories.
They struggled batting first in their last outing against Gujarat Titans, with captain and Orange Cap holder Shikhar Dhawan dismissed for a run-a-ball eight, and none of his teammates able to rise to the occasion. Matthew Short top-scored with 36 as none of Kings' batters reached their half-century.
Titans were then able to chase their target of 154 with relative ease, despite Sam Curran’s valiant effort in defending seven off the final over. Improvement is needed by Punjab Kings if they want to get out of this run of losses and put together a charge for the playoffs.
Shikhar Dhawan (MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
As has been the case for some time now, Liam Livingstone may come into the side for his first IPL appearance of the season after joining his teammates after the season got underway. The allrounder has not played since suffering a knee injury on his Test debut against Pakistan in December.
The main question surrounding Super Giants is whether Quinton de Kock will come back into the side at the top of the order. His return could see Kyle Mayers drop down to three, with de Kock’s importance warranting his place opening the batting.
This match sees the Orange Cap holder go up against one of the contenders for, and former holder of, the Purple cap. Mark Wood’s battle against Shikhar Dhawan will certainly be worth watching, as two of the most in-form players of this year’s tournament go head-to-head.
Kings have relied heavily on Dhawan's runs so far this season and will continue to do so if the rest of their top order continues to struggle. There is good news for Kings fans as Dhawan has taken a liking to Wood in their previous meetings, with the batter being dismissed just once in six innings against the express paceman.
A strike rate of 122.22 should not be a worry, as Dhawan will be just thankful to see off Wood’s overs given the way the Englishman is bowling currently.
Matches played: 1
Sunrisers Hyderabad wins: 1
Punjab Kings wins: 0
It is going to be hot and humid in Lucknow for the match, with the temperature in the low-to-mid 30 degrees Celsius.
Mark Wood (R.SATISH BABU/AFP via Getty Images)
Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (c), Ayush Badoni, Karan Sharma, Manan Vohra, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Krishnappa Gowtham, Deepak Hooda, Kyle Mayers, Krunal Pandya, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Mark Wood, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Nicholas Pooran, Jaydev Unadkat, Yash Thakur, Romario Shepherd, Daniel Sams, Amit Mishra, Prerak Mankad, Swapnil Singh, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yudhvir Charak
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shahrukh Khan, Jonny Bairstow (injured, replaced by Matt Short), Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Raj Bawa (injured, replaced by Gurnoor Singh Brar), Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Nathan Ellis, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Mohit Rathee, Shivam Singh
Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Krishnappa Gowtham, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Jaydev Unadkat, Mark Wood
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), M Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh
Lucknow Super Giants are the favourites for this match, with odds of 8/11. You can get odds of 11/10 if you want to back the outsiders Punjab Kings.
Super Giants look strong in every department this season and will be buoyed by the nature of their victory against RCB. Kings should be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and are a better team than their form suggests, but will not have enough to end the Super Giants' strong start to the season, even with the potential return of Livingstone.
In the UK, Sky Sports have exclusive rights to this year's tournament, with matches available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.
Fans in India can watch all the action on Star Sports.
Elsewhere in the world, viewers in Australia can watch the IPL on Fox Sports while in New Zealand, Sky Sport will provide coverage.
Willow TV and Flow Sports will broadcast the tournament in the United States and the Caribbean, respectively.
Fans in MENA can catch the action on beIN Sports while in South Africa, SuperSport have the rights.
If you are watching from the Middle East, you'll be able to view the game on Times Internet.
People from Bangladesh can watch the game on Gazi TV.
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