LSG vs SRH, tip-off XI: Captain Markram returns for SRH, De Kock to replace Pooran, Klaasen in for Phillips
IPL 2023: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will be looking to push the restart button when they take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday.
After missing the opening match due to national duty, Aiden Markram will return to lead the SRH. SRH will also be bolstered the arrival of hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen and left=arm pacer Marco Jansen.
SRH finished last in 2021 and eighth among 10 teams last year, and they will bank on Markram’s leadership skills to deliver results this season.
For LSG, there will be a selection headache after the arrival of Quinton de Kock, who has been in excellent touch with the bat.
Here are a few tip-offs ahead of the match:
Markram set to lead SRH
In the absence of Markram, Bhuvneshwar Kumar led SRH in their opening game, in which they lost a huge 72 runs against Rajasthan Royals. But in a big boost to the team, Markram and two fellow South Africans — Marco Jansen and Heinrich Klaasen — have joined the side after completing their national duty. SRH finished last in 2021 and eighth among 10 teams last year and they will bank on Markram’s leadership skills to deliver results this season.
Markram is 🔙 in orange, as the #Risers train ahead of our first-ever game at Lucknow 🔥
Watch the full video on our YouTube channel 📹#OrangeFireIdhi #OrangeArmy #IPL2023 #LSGvSRH pic.twitter.com/efzmBi2XrH
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 6, 2023
Markram has been in red-hot form recently, scoring a blering 126-balls 175 against the Netherlands. The 28-year-old also led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the title triumph in the inaugural SA T20 League, where they defeated Pretoria Capitals four wickets. Markram was the leading run-scorer for his team with 365 runs.
Who will make way for Quinton de Kock?
In Quinton de Kock’s absence, Kyle Mayers has more or less cemented his place in the LSG’s playing XI with back-to-back fifties. Mayers scored 73 and 53 in the first two matches and it is highly unlikely that he will get dropped. In that case, West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran or all-rounder Marcus Stoinis might have to make way for de Kock. Another interesting dilemma for the team management would be the batting position of De Kock.
Priorities all sorted ✅ #LSGBrigade, how excited are you to see him in action❓#LucknowSuperGiants | #LSG | #GazabAndaz | #Howzat | #LSGTV pic.twitter.com/WRTMQFm6Hl
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 5, 2023
Klaasen for Phillips
Given Klaasen’s recent form and that he is a regular wicketkeeper, he could replace Glenn Phillips in the starting XI. Klassen scored an unbeaten 119 off 61 balls in the third ODI against West Indies. The right-handed batter was also in great touch in the SA T20 as well.
LSG vs SRH predicted playing XI
LSG XI: KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Quinton de Kock (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, K Gowtham, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Mark Wood, Jaydev Unadkat
Impact player – Ayush Badoni
SRH XI: Abhishek Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (c), Harry Brook, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Washington Sundar, Adil Rashid, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, T Natarajan
Impact player – Kartik Tyagi
