IPL 2022: The Indian Premier League has headed towards its first Monday clash. And it is a very special moment in the history of the league. Because two of the new franchises will lock horns in their first ever IPL match. Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants will kick off their IPL careers on Monday at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. All the preparations, team meetings, and net sessions are done. Now it is a time of live action.
KL Rahul will lead the Lucknow Super Giants. And Hardik Pandya will be seen leading the Gujarat Titans. It will be an interesting clash between the two besties. Fans are also excited to see who will have the upper hand. Can KL Rahul bring out his “A” game? Or can Hardik make it a “Shubh Aarambh” for Gujarat?
IPL 2022: GT vs LSG 4th Match Prediction and Preview
Lucknow Super Giants
KL Rahul will be leading the Lucknow Super Giants in their first ever match. Fans would be hoping for a better show. But the biggest concern is the availability of the international stars in the first few matches. Only Evin Lewis and Dusmhmantha Chameera will be the two overseas players available for the first match. However, they have got some good-quality Indian players in their squad.
The team has got two of the most destructive openers in the game. KL Rahul has been exceptional in the last four seasons and has the combined highest number of runs in four seasons. Rahul will open the innings along with Evin Lewis. Following them, the middle-order will have the likes of Manan Vohra, Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, and Krunal Pandya.
Ravi Bishnoi and K Gowtham will play the roles of the spinners and are good at it. Pace attack suffers from a lack of experience.Avesh Khan and Chameera will be in command.
Probably XI: KL Rahul (C & Wk), Evin Lewis, Manish Pandey, Manan Vohra, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Krishnappa Gowtham, Dusmhmantha Chameera, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Ankit Rajpoot.
Gujarat Titans
Many would not give them the chance after looking at their picks at the auction. But the main thing in their favour will be that all their overseas stars are available to play. It will surely give them the edge over the Lucknow Super Giants. Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be leading an IPL team for the first time in his career. So it makes it more interesting.
Gujarat Titans have announced Rashid Khan as their vice-captain of the team. Their bowling attack is very strong for them. The only concern is the less experienced middle-order. Shubman Gill and Mathew Wade will be the opening duo. Abhinav Sadarangani, Gurkeerat Maan, Gurbaz, and Hardik Pandya will be in the middle order. Rashid and Rahul Tewatia will be the front-line spinners. Veteran pacers Mohammed Shami and Lockie Ferguson will lead the pace attack.
Probably XI: Shubman Gill, Mathew Wade (WK), Abhinav Sadarangani, Gurkeerat Singh Maan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami.
IPL 2022: Gujarat vs Lucknow Match, Pitch and Toss update
The pitch at Wankhede always offers some assistance for the pace bowlers at the start. But batters love playing here, and it is a high scoring ground. Later in the innings, spinners will come into play. All in all, the pitch has something for everyone. Dew will be another challenge for the bowlers in the second innings. So the team winning the toss might go for chasing. Batting second has a better win percentage on this ground.
GT vs LSG: Players to watch out for
KL Rahul is without a doubt is among the best white-ball batsman in the world right now. His numbers in IPL are also great. He is the contendars for “Orange Cap” this season. Skipper will surely be the player to watch out for in the match. He is aggressor, can play an anchor role and can change gear when required.
Ravi Bishnoi will be very effective on this pitch. He is an aggressive spinner who is always in your face. That’s the reason Lucknow bought him ahead of the auction. He has also shown in the games he got against West Indies that he has got the skill-set to perform at the grand platform.
Mathew Wade will be the player to watch out for at the top of the order. He is coming off a great T20I World Cup campaign and is a destructive player. If he gets set, it will definitely be a high-scoring target. On the other hand, his experience will also help Gill at the top.
Rashid Khan doesn’t need any introduction in white ball cricket. His four overs are like gold dust in the T20 format. He can change the whole match scenario in just four overs. The leg-spinner will be the bowler to watch out for in Gujarat’s bowling attack.
IPL 2022: Predicted XI team of the Match
Wicket-keeper: KL Rahul (LSG), Mathew Wade (GT)
Batsmen: Manish Pandey (LSG), Evin Lewis (LSG), Deepak Hooda (LSG), Shubman Gill (GT)
All-rounder: Rahul Tewatia (GT), Hardik Pandya (GT)
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami (GT), Rashid Khan (GT), Ravi Bishnoi (LSG)
Tips: KL Rahul will be the captain of the team. Mathew Wade or Rashid Khan will be ideal for vice-captain. Gujarat Titans are looking strong on paper and their bowling is very solid. So we will back Gujarat Titans to win this match.