Predicting Lucknow’s playing XI for their first game
Ravi Bishnoi, Marcus Stoinis (Image Credit: Gretty Images)
This will be the first time in the history of Indian T20 League that a Lucknow-based team will compete in the tournament. In October last year, the Sanjiv Goenka group acquired the team for 7090 crores INR. In January this year, they had signed three players KL Rahul, Ravi Bishnoi, and Marcus Stoinis. They immediately named KL Rahul as their skipper, who has the experience of leading Punjab.
Lucknow will play their first match against another new entrant Gujarat on March 28 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Without further ado, let’s predict the strongest possible playing XI for Lucknow for their first game.
Openers
KL Rahul (skipper): The right-hander will open the innings as usual, although for a new team. Leadership hasn’t impacted his batting form as he amassed more than 600 runs in seasons 2020 and 2021 for Punjab. It will be interesting to see if the fans witness different approach compared to what we saw in the last couple of years.
Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper and overseas): The player from South Africa has been an asset for different teams in the cash-rich league so far, While playing the league since 2013, he has amassed 2256 runs in 77 games, averaging 31.33 and striking at 130.93. Talking about his wicketkeeping, he has 14 stumpings and 53 catches to his name. The left-hander will definitely walk out with Rahul.
Middle Order
Manish Pandey: The Bangalore-born player has a decent record in the Indian T20 League. In 154 games, the right-hander has amassed 3560 runs batting in the top three. He is most likely to play in the first game.
Deepak Hooda: The Baroda-born player is a destructive batter, who can whack the ball with ease in the middle-overs. He can also provide part-time bowling option.
Manan Vohra – Manan Vohra burst on the scene with some staggering performances for Punjab. However, he could not really cement his place in the team. With Lucknow, he can be a permanent member of the team and given his naturally aggressive gameplay, he can be an asset for Lucknow
All Rounders
Krunal Pandya: Another players from Baroda makes his way in the team with his all-rounder skills. He is an effective bowler in the middle overs and choke teams for runs.
Jason Holder (Overseas): The former West Indies skipper is one of the best all-rounders in the modern day game. Down the order, he can use his long levers. He is an equally potent with the ball as well.
K Gowtham: The Karnataka player is a handy bowler and a destructive batter down the order.
Bowlers
Ravi Bishnoi: The former India U19 player is a strike leg-spinner, who picks wickets with the googly like Rashid Khan from Afghanistan.
Avesh Khan: The right-arm pacer has grown a lot in the last few seasons. Recently, he made his debut in T20Is for India.
Dushmantha Chameera (overseas): The lanky pacer from Sri Lanka has been an in-form players in the last few months in T20Is
