Magazine : 
IPL 2023: Injury-hit Lucknow Super Giants host Chennai Super Kings
Lucknow Super Giants have their fingers crossed over the availability of injured skipper KL Rahul, who has joined Jaydev Unadkat in the recovery room, as they host four-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. It will be a slightly nervous Lucknow dressing room against CSK, especially because their famed batting line-up failed to chase a total of 126 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the same venue.
Rahul sustained injury on his right thigh during the match against RCB, while Unadkat slipped badly while bowling at the nets, resulting in a nasty fall. The extent of both the injuries is yet to be ascertained but Rahul came out to bat at No. 11 in LSG's unsuccessful run chase, facing three balls without opening account. His inclusion in the LSG team for match is doubtful.
Players like Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis and Krunal Pandya have chipped in individually as well as collectively in previous games to keep the Lucknow franchise afloat while skipper Rahul has not been at his best after the two half centuries (74 against Punjab Kings and 68 against Gujarat Titans).
LSG's performance this season has swung wildly. While on the one hand, they have given commanding performances that have become the envy of other sides, they also have a self-destruction button hidden somewhere, which goes off automatically.
Their match against Punjab Kings on April 28 was a reminder what the team can achieve collectively, while their game against RCB was an example of how calamitously a team could lose while chasing a miniscule total of 126. The 257 for five against Punjab Kings, resulting to a 56-run win, had class and composure written all over it, with Mayers, Badoni, Stoinis, Pooran, Naveen-ul-Haq and Yash Thakur all chipping in, while they failed collectively against RCB.
Their weakness of succumbing to pressure, especially when their skipper Rahul might not be able to play due to a likely pulled hip flexor muscle, could give the MS Dhoni-led CSK enough confidence to go all out on the offensive.
LSG may be placed third on the IPL standings with 10 points from nine games but the shattering blow to their morale following the 18-run loss to RCB could be exploited by CSK, who too are on 10 points from nine matches but placed fourth due to an inferior net run rate (NRR).
Though CSK are coming off consecutive losses to Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings, their ability to bounce back can never be underestimated. With the tactical acumen of Dhoni playing a vital role in most of their victories this season, the former India captain could exploit the situation, especially if Rahul does not play.
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