Lucknow Super Giants will open their IPL 2023 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1.
According to Finch, the opening pair of skipper KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock are going to be LSG’s biggest strengths as they complement each other well.
It will be LSG’s second season in the Indian Premier League. Alongside defending champions Gujarat Titans, they were added as one of the two new teams in the cash-rich tournament last year.
In their maiden IPL season, the KL Rahul-led side qualified for the playoffs after winning 9 out of 14 league matches and lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator.
“The big strength of the Lucknow Super Giants is their opening combination, KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. They complement each other so well. They are very different players, and their strengths and weaknesses offset each other. So, I think if they are going to have a big season."
"I think the home ground advantage for the Lucknow Super Giants this year, although their wicket has been a little unpredictable at times, they've got a class opening combination in KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, their middle order power of Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, and they've got a lot of bowling options, Krunal Pandya with the ball, who can also be versatile with the bat. So, I think they have got a lot of options to be able to exploit whatever the wicket produces," said Finch on the 'Know Your Team' show on Star Sports.
Finch also feels Caribbean swashbuckler Nicholas Pooran will be a game-changer for the side while he hailed Deepak Hooda as X-factor.
"They've spent a lot of money to get him in the auction. He wasn't at his best last season, but we know how destructive he can be. He's someone who strikes it at such a high strike rate, particularly early in his innings. So, for me, he is the player to watch out for," Finch said about Pooran.
"The X-factor for me this season for Lucknow I see is Deepak Hooda. He's someone who has taken the responsibility of batting at number 3. He's someone who strikes at a good strike rate, particularly in the first 10 balls. He continues to keep being aggressive. If he can bat for longer periods while being aggressive, that will set up that middle and lower order to be at their destructive best," he remarked.
Lucknow Super Giants will open their IPL 2023 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1.