IPL 2023 match preview: Lucknow Super Giants v Sunrisers Hyderabad

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

What's the match?

Lucknow Super Giants take on Sunriser Hyderabad in the 2023 Indian Premier League.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to start at 7.30pm local time (3pm GMT) on Friday, April 7.

Where is the match being played?

The match will be played at Ekana Sports City Stadium in Lucknow.

Who's got form?

Lucknow Super Giants come into this match off the back of a 12-run defeat against Chennai Super Kings. Kyle Mayers hit an electric half-century as they chased 218 but all of his hard work was undone by Moeen Ali, who picked up four wickets.

However, the Super Giants do have points on the board in the 2023 IPL after defeating Delhi Capitals in their tournament opener.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, endured a horrible start to their campaign, losing to Rajasthan Royals by 72 runs. They leaked 203 runs and could only muster 131 in response, with Abdul Samad top-scoring with a laboured run-a-ball 32.

 ^{Kyle Mayers has been in blistering form at the top of the order for Lucknow Super Giants}

What's the team news?

Lucknow Super Giants have no new injury news, with Mohsin Khan - who sustained a shoulder injury before the season started - the only player on the sidelines.

In a boost to their top-order batting, Quinton de Kock could make his first appearance of the season after missing the first week of action due to international commitments. The question is, how do both he and Mayers fit into the same XI?

Sunrisers Hyderabad are also set to be boosted by the arrival of a number of South Africans, with captain Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Heinrich Klaasen all involved in the now-completed series against the Netherlands. Should they be available straight away, there could be a reshuffle of their overseas personnel.

What's the key matchup?

Can the talismanic Markram turn Sunrisers Hyderabad's fortunes around?

The South African has been in fantastic form in 2023, captaining Sunrisers Eastern Cape to glory in the SA20 and picking up player of the tournament honours after scoring 366 runs at a strike rate of 127.97 and taking 11 wickets. He's also been in stunning form for South Africa of late, hitting 38 not out, 35 not out, 51 not out and 175 in his past four white-ball internationals.

Keeping him quiet with bat and ball will be crucial if Lucknow Super Giants are to win this match.

Head-to-head record 

Matches played: 1

Sunrisers Hyderabad wins: 0

Lucknow Super Giants wins: 1

What's the weather forecast?

Clear skies and scorching temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius are expected in Lucknow.

^{Sunrisers captain Aiden Markram could make his first appearance of the season [Sydney Seshibedi/Getty Images]}

What are the squads?

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

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abdul Samad, Aiden Markram, Rahul Tripathi, Glenn Phillips, Abhishek Sharma, Marco Jansen, Washington Sundar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kartik Tyagi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Umran Malik, Harry Brook, Mayank Agarwal, Heinrich Klaasen, Adil Rashid, Mayank Markande, Vivrant Sharma, Samarth Vyas, Sanvir Singh, Upendra Yadav, Mayank Dagar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Anmolpreet Singh, Akeal Hosein

What are the possible starting XIs?

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

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Mayank Agarwal, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Harry Brook, Heinrich Klaasen, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Umran Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi

What are the odds?

Lucknow Super Giants are the favourites, with odds of 3/4, while Sunrisers are available at 6/5.

Prediction?

Should Sunrisers' South African contigent play, it will be a big boost to their hopes of victory. However, they've been poor for the past two years and it might take more than a couple of matches for this new squad to gel. Lucknow win.

Where can I watch the game?

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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