Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings will play each other in their second game in four days on Sunday, May 5, at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. These two teams last met on Wednesday, May 1.
When these two teams met on Wednesday in Chennai, PBKS beat CSK by seven wickets and virtually thrashed them. However, CSK will want to get their own back when they play this game in Dharamsala. CSK wish to qualify for the IPL playoffs as soon as possible.
PBKS are enjoying a late revival thanks to brilliant batting performances from Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, and Rilee Rossouw. They will likely build on this and maintain the momentum they have gained.
Predicted Squads
PBKS: Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran (c), Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.
CSK: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Richard Gleeson, Mustafizur Rahman.
Key Players
Jonny Bairstow (PBKS): Punjab Kings are enjoying a late revival thanks to Jonny Bairstow’s showcased form. The Englishman is one of the key players for PBKS in this game, and he will be expected to rule the roost. He is also a good wicketkeeper-batter, although he has not worn the gloves for PBKS.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (CSK): India legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the key players to watch out for in this game. Dhoni is the reason why this stadium will get filled to the brim with people flocking from far and beyond to see him. He will be keen on finishing the innings well for his team.
Match Prediction
PBKS are the downright favourites to win this game, given that they are enjoying a lot of momentum and making sure that form is on their side. They will try to ensure that CSK do not get onto the front foot in this game. CSK also have a lot of injuries on their side, which will help PBKS.
Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 05.05.2024 Prediction
Lucknow Super Giants host Kolkata Knight Riders in the 54th match of IPL 2024 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday, May 5. Both teams are known for their ability to take games down to the wire. If they play at their best, this one will indeed be expected to go there.
KKR have been severely demoralised after their massive mess-up against PBKS, in which the latter chased down the 262 runs set for them at the Eden Gardens. They will be looking to change their mood and hope for a better result in this game. LSG, however, are no minnows.
Both teams will want to cement their places in the playoffs of the IPL this season and will look to make sure that they do not make any errors in the lead-up to it. LSG, with head coach Justin Langer at the helm, have been in fine fettle and appear likely to eke out a win here.
Predicted Squads
LSG: KL Rahul (c & wk), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ashton Turner, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav.
KKR: Philip Salt (wk), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Key Players
Nicholas Pooran (LSG): Nicholas Pooran has been one of the reasons why LSG have been able to set big totals while batting first and chase immensely well when batting second. The West Indian has been in fine form and will want to continue in this game.
Phil Salt (KKR): English wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt has been one of the shining stars for KKR this season, and he will also play a massive role in this game. Salt has got them off to superb starts at the top of the order and will be a crucial wicket for LSG to get in this game.
Match Prediction
LSG enjoy the home advantage in this game, placing them at a much higher perch than KKR. Skipper KL Rahul, disappointed to miss out on the T20 World Cup squad, will be hoping to prove a point to the selectors and bat with complete freedom.
