The last time Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) played Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), they crashed out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the eliminator. With the past well behind them, the Super Giants will be eyeing a fresh start when the two sides meet in Bangalore’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday at 7:30 PM IST. 

LSG’s season has begun well this year. They beat Delhi Capitals in their season opener and handed 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad a five-wicket defeat. Two wins from two at home have placed Lucknow level at the top of the IPL 2023 points table with four points. LSG suffered their only loss in the away game against Chennai Super Kings after falling by 12 runs chasing 217.

RCB, meanwhile, come into the contest on the back of an 81-run loss at Eden Gardens against Kolkata Knight Riders. They looked far from a team that made five-time champions Mumbai Indians sweat at M Chinnaswamy Stadium last week.

Super Giants to watch out for

The pitch at M Chinnaswamy Stadium is considered a batting paradise. KL Rahul found form in the last game against the Sunrisers with a fluent 35 and will look to carry forward the momentum. LSG’s foreign recruits Quinton de Kock, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis and Mark Wood are all proven performers, giving LSG plenty of options to choose from in all departments.

Bowlers usually go for plenty on the Bangalore pitch so Avesh Khan, with variations up his bowling sleeve, could play a key role here. Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi will lead LSG’s spin department. It remains to be seen if Purple Cap holder Mark Wood recovers from flu ahead of the match against RCB. 

The Challengers’ squad

Like each team, RCB make use of their home conditions pretty well. They made Mumbai Indians batters work for every run in their last home encounter. Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj are shrewd operators of the ball and be well-supported by Shahbaz Ahmed and David Willey.

The likes of Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik make RCB’s batting unit one of the most fearsome in IPL 2023.

RCB vs LSG: Head-to-head

LSG faced RCB twice last season, facing defeat on both occasions. Krunal Pandya was our pick of the players from the first match during the league stage. He bowled an economical spell of 1/29 from four overs. However, RCB managed to pile on 181/6. Pandya also top-scored with 28-ball 42 in reply but the LSG Brigade fell short by 18 runs. 

In the eliminator, RCB put on an even stiffer 207/4 for LSG. Skipper KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda led from the front in the run chase but eventually, LSG fell short by 14 runs to get eliminated. 

Match details

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Lucknow Super Giants, Match 15

Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore 

Time: 7:30 PM