LSG and RCB clash in IPL 2022 Eliminator on May 25 in Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
LSG finished the league stage in the third spot and will face off against RCB at Eden Gardens the victor of the match will play Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on May 27 for a chance to face off against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 final on May 29.
LSG captain KL Rahul has been in fine form with the bat, scoring 537 runs including two centuries and three half-centuries at an average of 48.82.
Talking about his form, former India batter Mohammad Kaif said on 'Game Plan' on Star Sports:
"According to me, KL Rahul wants to play a captaincy inning and he takes a lot of pressure on himself. Since you are in form, you should try to bat while chasing in the same way when you bat first. De Kock is playing with you and his job is to be aggressive, but yours is to play till the last overs.
He looks under pressure while chasing, and also got dismissed many times, but he's a class batsman. He has form, runs, and temperament and knows to play till the end. He hits shots in every direction. He takes time in the beginning but knows how to finish a game.”
Kaif added that if LSG has to progress ahead in the IPL, then a lot of it will depend on their captain's form today.
"So, if we talk about today's match, LSG reached this stage after a rollercoaster ride. They are playing in the IPL for the first time. KL has brought the team to the Playoffs and he has been great with his captaincy and batting. The real test of his form will be today, because you don't want to do any mistakes in today's match. He should not take much pressure and allow De Kock to hit shots for himself. He should use the, 'Watch the ball and hit the ball' strategy," Kaif pointed.
For Kaif, LSG's bowling unit pips their opposition today.
Kaif said, "Basically, Lucknow's bowling is better and RCB's is quite weak. Mohammed Siraj dropped in the previous match and Siddarth Kaul came in place of him and ended up giving 40 runs in 4 overs, which is quite expensive. On the Eden Gardens pitch, apart from Hazlewood, RCB's bowling is quite weak. The bowling of Lucknow is better, so RCB must perform better with their batting, should hit more sixes then only, will be able to win today's match. It is a great battle!"
"Lucknow have an edge in their batting. KL Rahul and De Kock are in form and they also have a great bowling unit. So, RCB will have to work hard. If they hit more sixes, then they will win today's match. Maxwell's small innings will have to be turned into big ones and Virat Kohli will have to continue his form. If you ask from me, Lucknow is leading this battle with a 60-40 chance," Kaif opined.
(ANI inputs)