IPL preview: Lucknow Super Giants v Gujarat Titans - prediction, stars to watch and suggested bets
Lucknow Super Giants Nicholas Pooran - April 2023
The Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans are the newest teams in the Indian Premier League, as their fledgling legacies continue to grow.
Who, when, where
Lucknow Super Giants v Gujarat Titans, 11am BST, Saturday 21 April 2023, Lucknow
Talking points
The Super Giants will go into this match on the back of a taxing challenge against the Rajasthan Royals. What Lucknow can achieve against the inaugural champions and last year's losing finalists will have plenty of bearing on this fixture.
One of the biggest talking points centres around Quinton de Kock. How much longer can the Super Giants afford to keep the South African wicketkeeper-batsman out of the XI? With Kyle Mayers firing with the bat and Nicholas Pooran sound behind the stumps, de Kock might have to keep waiting.
The Titans' last fixture was also against Rajasthan. Gujarat lost that despite fine performances with the bat from David Miller and Shubman Gill - and Mohammed Shami's solid showing with the new ball.
Gujarat are the defending champions, having won the 2022 title in their first season in the tournament. That's a big maiden campaign to follow up on. The pressure might be tolling. They can rectify their pursuit of a successful title defence with victory over Lucknow here.
Head-to-head
The Titans beat the Super Giants on both occasions last season. This will be a day match, not played under lights, so dew won't necessarily be as much of a factor as it was in last season's meetings.
Stars to watch
Leg-spinners have had a significant role to play in the 2023 IPL and, in Ravi Bishnoi, the Super Giants have one of the best wrist-spinners around. Conditions in Lucknow could play right into his hands. He has taken five wickets in three matches at his home ground this IPL season.
Hardik Pandya is visibly disappointed almost every time the Titans get something wrong. He looks like one of the most invested captains on the IPL circuit. He'd dearly love to put in a big contribution with bat and ball for himself and his team.
Prediction
The Titans look in the strongest shape to win here. They should bounce back from that defeat to the Royals and undo the Super Giants. They don't have home advantage, but that doesn't really count for much for a team that travel well.
Suggested bets
Rashid Khan to be top bowler for Gujarat
KL Rahul to be top batsman for Lucknow
