Gujarat seeks return to winning ways against Lucknow

LUCKNOW: Gujarat Titans would look to shrug off the defeat in the previous outing and get its mojo back when it clashes with Lucknow Super Giants, which will be eager to keep the winning momentum going in IPL here on Saturday.

While the Titans will look to start afresh after the three-wicket loss to the Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow got a confidence-boosting 10-run win against the Sanju Samson-led side to climb to the second spot in the points table.

Both teams have been a tad inconsistent this season, losing two games each although the Titans has played a match less than Lucknow.

The Titans, which is fourth in the league table, has struggled to defend totals this season.

Mohammed Shami has been a constant wicket-taker and has looked potent in the powerplay but more is expected of Alzarri Joseph and Josh Little.

Skipper Hardik Pandya also hasn’t been at his best with the ball, having picked up only one wicket so far. Pacer Mohit Sharma, however, has done well in the two games he has played.

Rashid Khan has spearheaded the spin department, but against the Royals when he was taken to the cleaners by Samson, Titans had no answer but to hand debut to 18-year-old Afghan wrist spinner Noor Ahmad, who did well under pressure, albeit in a losing cause.

The Titans batting department looks sorted with likes of Shubman Gill, David Miller, Sai Sudarshan striking the ball well.

But the reigning champion will have its task cut out against Lucknow, who boast of a formidable batting line up.

Lucknow has no dearth of power in its batting, with Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis capable of pulverising any opposition. Mayers has been in sensational form at the top while Pooran and Stoinis are doing the job in the middle order.

But skipper KL Rahul’s form is a little concerning. He has batted with strike rate of 114.79 this season. All-rounder Deepak Hooda is also yet to play an impactful innings he is capable of.

Talented leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and veteran Amit Mishra are doing well in the spin department while Krunal Pandya has also put in a match-winning performance.

In Mark Wood, Avesh Khan and Yudhvir Singh Charak, Lucknow also possesses a good pace department. Debutant Naveen-ul Haq sizzled in his maiden game against Rajasthan and will look to continue in the same vein.

The Titans, however, may have a slight psychological edge having defeated the Super Giants on both occasions last season.

The match is set to be played during the day so dew won’t be a factor.