Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 34 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, April 19. LSG have won three and lost three matches in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. They are placed fifth on the points table with six points. On the other hand, CSK are in third place on the points table with eight points. Out of six matches, they have won four and lost two. With that in mind, let's look at the playing XI of both sides ahead of a highly anticipated encounter.
LSG Predicted XI
Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock has gradually found his rhythm with the bat in IPL 2024. The South African wicketkeeper batter has scored 174 runs in six matches, including two fifty-plus scores. De Kock has fared well against CSK in the past and will be hoping for some more runs against them.
KL Rahul (captain and wicketkeeper)
Lucknow's captain and wicketkeeper KL Rahul will open the innings along with de Kock. He has scored 204 runs in six matches and is LSG's second-highest runs scorer this season with a highest score of 58.
Deepak Hooda
With Devdutt Padikkal struggling to find form this season, Deepak Hooda could bat at No. 3 for the Super Giants. Due to a lack of game-time, Hooda hasn't been among the runs for LSG but he is quite capable of adding crucial runs to the scoreboard and has made more than 1,000 IPL runs in his career.
Ayush Badoni
Ayush Badoni has been one of the key members in LSG's batting unit this year. Although Badoni hasn't been at his best this season, his knock of 55 not out against Delhi Capitals showed what he's capable of when on song and he'll be hoping to produce more such knocks in the upcoming games.
Marcus Stoinis
Marcus Stoinis will have an important role to play with the bat as well as ball against Chennai. The Australian all-rounder will be eager to have a big impact on his team's fortunes in the upcoming games as he looks to add to his 122 runs and one wicket in IPL 2024.
Nicholas Pooran
With 223 runs in six matches, Nicholas Pooran leads the Super Giants' top runs scorers list. The Caribbean wicketkeeper batter has scored his runs at a sublime average of 74.33 and a thunderous strike rate of 161.59, making him a game-changing presence for LSG.
Krunal Pandya
India all-rounder Krunal Pandya has had a quiet run with bat and ball in IPL 2024. He has scored 58 runs and taken three wickets in six matches but will be eager to contribute more for LSG when they face CSK on Friday.
Arshad Khan
Arshad Khan offers additional support to the Super Giants' lower middle order. He hasn't been among the runs this season having played only two games, but is capable of playing crucial cameos when required besides giving LSG's batting unit more options.
Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi will spearhead the spin bowling attack for Lucknow Super Giants. He has taken four wickets in six matches at an economy of 7.82 this season and will be hoping to have a bigger say on games. Since 2020, Bishnoi has taken six wickets against CSK and is likely to be among the wickets in the upcoming clash.
Naveen-ul-Haq
Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq is an integral part of the LSG bowling outfit having taken six wickets in five matches this season. A bowler with plenty of variety, Naveen is capable of bowling in crunch situations and will be one of LSG's biggest threats with the ball against CSK.
Yash Thakur
With Mayank Yadav injured, Yash Thakur will probably open the proceedings for Lucknow with the ball. Thakur's pace and swing variations have earned him seven wickets in five matches, including the first fifer of IPL 2024 against Gujarat recently.
Impact Sub
Mohsin Khan/M Siddharth
CSK Predicted XI
Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain)
Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad will enter this contest on the back of a 69-run knock against Mumbai Indians. With 224 runs in six matches, Gaikwad will hope to showcase his destructive form with the bat against Lucknow Super Giants.
Rachin Ravindra
New Zealand opening batter Rachin Ravindra has scored 133 runs in six matches at a stunning strike rate of 166.25 in IPL 2024. A stylish left-handed batter, his quick starts have helped set up the foundation for big scores for CSK this season.
Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane was crucial to the CSK top order's batting lineup last season. He hasn't been among the runs in IPL 2024 having managed to score 124 runs but is capable of turning things around with his aggressive batting style, which he showcased last season.
Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube has been in the spotlight for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024. With 242 runs in six matches, Dube leads CSK's top run-scorers list. He's averaging 60.50 along with a strike rate of 163.51 and has been a match-winner for CSK this season.
Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell brings depth and power-hitting to the CSK middle order. The New Zealand batter has scored 135 runs in six matches this season but is capable of producing much more with the bat when he gets some more time in the middle.
MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper)
MS Dhoni continues to defy his age by entertaining fans with the bat while at the crease. The Indian legend hasn't spent much time with the bat in the middle but has still scored 59 runs in four innings at a remarkable strike rate of 236. Dhoni's ability to hammer bowlers effortlessly saw him smash 20 runs off four balls in CSK's last game against MI where he entered the match with four balls left in the innings.
Ravindra Jadeja
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja adds depth to the CSK lineup with bat and ball. He hasn't got many opportunities to bat but has scored 84 runs at a strike rate of 140 in four innings. Jadeja has also claimed four wickets in six matches.
Shardul Thakur
Jadeja's compatriot Shardul Thakur could also be seen in action against Lucknow Super Giants. The Indian all-rounder is yet to make his mark in IPL 2023 but is capable of winning games against any team with bat or ball as he's proven in the past.
Mustafizur Rahman
With 10 wickets in five matches, Mustafizur Rahman is the leading wicket-taker for CSK this season. His ability to generate bounce, pace and swing variations as well as a deceiving slower ball makes him a threat to any batting lineup. He's averaging 18.30 this season and will have a say against LSG come Friday.
Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana will spearhead CSK's pace attack against Lucknow Super Giants. He has taken eight wickets in three matches at an economy of 7.33 and an average of 11. Pathirana will enter this match on the back of a Player of the Match-winning four-fer against MI.
Impact Sub
Tushar Deshpande/Sameer Rizvi