Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will play their third Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2024. In the last two seasons, LSG qualified for the playoffs but choked in eliminator matches. KL Rahul, the skipper, will strive to win the coveted trophy for Lucknow in 2024 with his captaincy and batting prowess.
In the IPL 2024 auction held in Dubai, LSG spent INR 12.20 crore and added six players to the squad. Their bought list includes renowned names such as Shivam Mavi, Ashton Turner, and David Willey. After the blockbuster business extravaganza, it’s time to know the best-playing XI of LSG.
Here is LSG’s best-playing XI after the 2024 auction
1. KL Rahul (C/Wk)
KL Rahul’s job will be to play fearless cricket and inspire the entire team to adopt an aggressive approach. In the previous season, Rahul faced harsh criticism for his defensive batting style. In 2024, he will look to change the approach to extract positive results. Recently, the LSG skipper has looked in excellent touch with the bat in India jersey.
After recovering from a thigh injury, he produced some spectacular knocks from his bat in international cricket. His scintillating form will bring joy to the faces of LSG fans who want him to lift the distinguished IPL trophy in the upcoming tournament.
2. Quinton de Kock
South Africa’s wicketkeeper batter Quinton de Kock must showcase his ferocious batting attitude to help Lucknow fare well in the upcoming competition. The Protea wicketkeeper is one of the most experienced names in the LSG squad and his presence can make a positive impact on the team.
However, the southpaw’s recent numbers may concern LSG supporters. Currently, de Kock is serving Melbourne Renegades in the 2023-24 Big Bash League and his bat has remained quiet thus far. Playing seven games, he could amass only 104 runs in six innings at a horrendous average of 17.33 and a strike rate of 120.93. In the tournament, the LSG will want their star opener to regain his form and dazzle the tournament.
3. Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda looked completely out of rhythm in the 2023 IPL. The right-handed could score only 84 runs in 12 matches at a meagre average of 7.63 and a disheartening average of 93.33. Witnessing his underwhelming performance, LSG didn’t withdraw their support and retained him for the upcoming IPL season.
Hooda will have to display his batting mettle in the upcoming IPL season to serve Lucknow for a long time. The 28-year-old has looked impressive with his bat recently in the 2023 -24 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Donning Rajasthan’s jersey, he hit 480 runs in eight innings of nine matches at a strike rate of 105.72. Hooda will endeavour to carry his form forward to the 2024 IPL.
4. Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya was handed the captaincy mantle after Rahul’s exit from the 2023 IPL due to a thigh injury. As a skipper, he failed to pass the Mumbai Indians (MI) challenge in the eliminator game which led to LSG’s exit from the tournament. Talking about his all-round performance, the 32-year-old scored 188 runs in 14 innings at a dismal strike rate of 113.93. With the ball, he took nine wickets at an economy of 7.45.
Pandya’s bowling performance has been satisfactory for LSG in the last two seasons but he will have to produce something extraordinary from his bat in the upcoming season. He is also Rahul’s deputy so the team will want him to be effective in all departments of the game consistently.
5. Marcus Stoinis
Australia’s Marcus Stoinis’ all-round talent is essential for Lucknow. In 2023, he looked stunning with his bat, notching up 408 runs in 15 matches at an outstanding strike rate of 150.00. With these numbers, he ended up as the team’s leading run-scorer in the season. However, the LSG management will want him to make crucial contributions with the ball as well.
Discussing his recent performance, the 34-year-old hasn’t looked good with his bat for Melbourne Stars in the 2023-24 Big Bash League (BBL). Playing seven matches, he has scored only 85 runs in six innings at an average of 16.00. LSG fans will expect him to regain his form before the IPL 2024, as they want to see him among the runs while serving their team.
6. Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran has become a vital part of LSG after his exceptional batting performance in the 2023 IPL. The left-handed West Indies batter played eye-grabbing knocks and won the confidence of the team. Eyes will be set on him again in 2024 as he will be expected to continue his brilliant work for the team.
Noting his power-hitting ability, LSG will want him to play the role of a finisher. In 2023, he received a lot of praise for his swift knock of 62 off just 19. The star Caribbean player will look to do his job efficiently for Super Giants again in the upcoming T20 competition.
7. Ayush Badoni
Ayush Badoni has been associated with LSG since 2022 and in these two years, he has grabbed a lot of attention for his batting excellence. The right-handed batter has played 28 games in the cash-rich league and has scored 399 runs at a strike rate of 132.12.
Badoni will look to do wonders with his bat for Lucknow in the upcoming tournament. In the previous season, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Jitesh Sharma, and Rinku Singh rocked the tournament and caught the attention of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to break into international cricket. Badoni will also strive to produce impactful innings from his bat in LSG colours.
8. Mark Wood
Mark Wood will lead LSG’s fast-bowling unit in the upcoming tournament. In the previous season, the pacer was available for only four games for LSG but in the 2024 IPL, he might be seen rendering his services to the team for the entire season. Talking about his 2023 performance, the English player grabbed 11 wickets in just four innings at an economy of 8.12. LSG will want Wood to produce fire with the ball and deliver early breakthroughs to the team consistently as he did in 2023.
The 33-year-old also featured in England’s 2023 World Cup but couldn’t justify his role. Playing the marquee One-Day International (ODI) event, he could scalp only six wickets in seven games at an economy of 6.46. After the World Cup, he hasn’t played any match in the white-ball format so it will be interesting to see how he fares for Lucknow in the 2024 IPL.
9. Shivam Mavi
Shivam Mavi was a part of Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2023 IPL but didn’t get a chance to play any matches. Before the 2024 IPL auction, GT released Mavi which forced him to go under the hammer again. At the business event, LSG signed him up for INR 6.40 crore to reserve his services.
Mavi plays for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket and he is familiar with Lucknow’s pitch. The paceman might help LSG win home games comfortably. However, the 25-year-old hasn’t played any match since August 2023 which can go against Mavi and Lucknow in the upcoming tournament.
10. Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi will spearhead the spin department for LSG in 2024. On turning tracks, he has the potential to do wonders with the ball for the team. The 23-year-old is currently the leading wicket-taker for Lucknow with 29 wickets in 29 matches at an economy of 8.10.
Recently, the youngster exuded confidence while serving India in the home T20I series against Australia. Playing five games, he bagged nine wickets at an economy of 8.20 and ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Bishnoi will strive to continue his form in upcoming contests so that he can go to the 2024 IPL with confidence.
11. Mohsin Khan
Mohsin Khan played only five matches for Lucknow in the previous IPL edition due to his shoulder injury. Against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the round-robin stage, he defended 10 runs in the last over and received appreciation for taking his team home by five runs.
His services will be essential for LSG in IPL 2024 again. The pacer was among the wickets for Uttar Pradesh in the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, picking up 11 wickets in five matches at an economy of 5.84. The 25-year-old will be expected to assist Wood and Mavi to serve LSG’s fast-bowling unit efficiently.
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