Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants: LSG to climb up the table

Pune will host the game between the Punjab and Lucknow in the Indian Premier League with both the teams aiming to get into the top four. As the tournament is in its second phase the teams will be looking to consolidate their position high up in the table.

Punjab has had a mixed season with them winning 4 games and losing four in the eight matches they have played. Their last game was against the current champions CSK in which they won by 11 runs. They will be looking to take the momentum into the second half of the IPL. They have finally figured out their best bowling lineup which is one of the best in the tournament. Shikhar Dhawan and Bhanuka Rajapaksa contributed heavily in the last game with the bat scoring 88 and 42 runs respectively. However, Mayank Agarwal needs to get some more runs under his belt and lead the team from the front. 

Mayank Agarwal (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jonny Bairstow, Kagiso Rabada, Rishi Dhawan, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar, Sandeep Sharma

Lucknow's batting has been very inconsistent this season. In one game they can chase down 200+ scores and in the next, they crumble under pressure. They need to get consistent with the batting to have a significant chance of getting something out of their first season in the IPL. They are also coming into the game on the back of a win against Mumbai in the tournament. It will be interesting to see how KL Rahul goes about his business against his former side.

Quinton de Kock (wk), KL Rahul (c), Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Dushmantha Chameera, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan/Mohsin Khan

MCA stadium has had pretty even matches when it comes to team batting first. The toss has very little to say in the outcome of the match and there is plenty for the bowlers if they hit the right areas. We are expecting a close game and Lucknow to come on top.  

• LSG to win for 1.88;
• Each Team To Score Over 159.5 Runs for 1.62;
• W2 After First 6 Overs (2Way) for 2.00