Battle Of Brothers: Hardik Pandya's GT To Take On Krunal-Led LSG

It will be a test of wits between the Pandya brothers -- Hardik and Krunal -- when defending champions Gujarat Titans clash with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL in Ahmedabad on Sunday. While Hardik has captained the Indian team on multiple occasions and is leading GT for the second year, Krunal has led the Baroda team in domestic cricket and was elevated to the role of LSG captain in the absence of regular skipper KL Rahul. The two have become the first brothers to captain teams in the IPL. Under Hardik, GT are perched on top of the leader board with 14 points.

Krunal, on the other hand, led LSG in the washed out match against Chennai Super Kings. He will be tasked with raising the morale of the side, which has lost its regular skipper and pacer Jaydev Unadkat.

LSG, who are second on the points table with 11 points, enter the fixture on the back of a loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore and a washed out game against CSK> Rahul, who limped off the field against RCB, has ruled himself out of the remainder of the season, as he is set to undergo a thigh surgery.

Adding to their woes, pacer Unadkat will also play no part in this IPL after sustaining a shoulder injury.

In their previous two games the batting unit has disappointed as the Lucknow side was unable to chase or put totals in excess of 130 on the board.

They have blown hot and cold this season. While on the one hand, they have given commanding performances, they also have a self-destruct button, which goes off.

LSG have no dearth of talent in their line up but the inconsistent form of their batters is hurting the team.

They have named the experienced Karun Nair as a replacement for Rahul.

Come Sunday, LSG will have to be at their best against a formidable GT bowling