IPL 2024: Match 15, RCB vs LSG Match Preview: Injuries, Tactical Player Changes, Pitch Conditions, and More

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are set to renew their rivalry in match No. 15 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday, April 2.

In 2023, these two teams had quite a heated rivalry, both on and off the pitch. Gautam Gambhir, who was the mentor of LSG last season, shushed the Chinnaswamy crowd after his team’s thrilling one-wicket win off the last ball against the Royal Challengers on April 10. Interestingly, that was also the 15th match of last season. In the reverse fixture, Bengaluru avenged their defeat as they got the better of Lucknow by 18 runs. After this match, Gambhir and Kohli got involved in an altercation. Naveen-ul-Haq also got into a war of words with Kohli, with Glenn Maxwell holding him back.

This season, Gambhir has left Lucknow and has joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as their mentor. In the recent clash between the Knights and the Royal Challengers, the former India cricketer was seen hugging Kohli. Naveen and Kohli also seemed to have buried the hatchet last year during the India versus Afghanistan tie in the ODI World Cup as they were seen shaking hands and hugging each other.

However, there will certainly be no love lost between the two teams when they collide in Garden City. Bengaluru have started their campaign with one win and two losses from three games. In their first match, they lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chepauk. However, the Bengaluru-based franchise bounced back to win by four wickets at home against Punjab Kings. In their most recent clash against KKR, Bengaluru suffered a crushing seven-wicket loss and are currently languishing at No. 9 on the points table.

Meanwhile, Lucknow have only played a couple of games thus far in IPL 2024. In their season-opening encounter, KL Rahul and Co. lost to Rajasthan Royals by 20 runs in Jaipur. The Super Giants came back strongly at home against Punjab Kings as they won by 21 runs. The KL Rahul-led side are No. 6 on the points table.

Kohli struggled with the bat during the first game against CSK as he scored a scratchy 21 off 20 balls. However, it was his first competitive match after two months. Since that disappointing innings, the legendary cricketer has shown his class and registered back-to-back half-centuries. However, questions regarding his strike rate popped up once again after he scored 83 not out off 59 balls against KKR. To put things into perspective, the opening duo of Sunil Narine and Phil Salt put on 85 runs in six overs in the powerplay in the second innings. The ball did seem to come onto the bat much slower in the latter half of the first innings and that didn’t make things easy for the former India captain.

LSG, on the other hand, will be happy with the form of players like Quinton de Kock and Nicholas Pooran. The latter led the Super Giants in their last game as Rahul played as an Impact Sub. However, LSG’s last match was headlined by 21-year-old Mayank Yadav, who became the talk of the town as he bowled seriously quick and bagged three wickets on debut. The fastest delivery of the eventual Player of the Match was recorded at 155.8 kph. It will be interesting to see how he goes about in his second game in the IPL.

M Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report and Conditions

Two games have been played thus far at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Both matches have been won by the chasing teams. 49 out of the 90 IPL games at this venue have been won by chasing teams, while teams batting first have won 37. Andre Russell used the slower deliveries to great effect in the last game as the ball didn’t come onto the bat as nicely as fans are used to seeing at the Chinnaswamy. Using the pitch will be important for the bowlers from both teams. If the ball continues to stick onto the surface, the slower deliveries on a length are going to be a better option than the high-risk-high-reward yorkers. Toss is going to play a vital role as teams would prefer chasing at the high-scoring venue.

Probable Playing XI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB roped in Alzarri Joseph and Lockie Ferguson at the IPL 2024 auction to address their death bowling issues. The West Indies pacer got the nod and played the first three games. However, while he bowled with steam, his accuracy left a lot to be desired. He has picked up just one wicket and conceded runs at an economy rate of 11.90. The team management could bring in the more experienced Lockie into the playing XI and give Alzarri a chance to address his shortcomings. Rajat Patidar has only scored 21 runs off 25 balls. However, he could get another chance before RCB look for someone like Suyash Prabhudesai, who can attack from ball one.

Predicted XI: Faf Du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat (WK), Mayank Dagar, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammad Siraj, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Impact Player: Mahipal Lomror

Also Check:IPL 2024 Points Table

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

Rahul is expected to return to the side as the captain. No other change is expected for Lucknow unless any last-minute niggle occurs.

Predicted XI: KL Rahul, Quinton De Kock (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Nicholas Pooran (C), Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth

Impact Player: Naveen-ul-Haq