IPL 2022 Eliminator: Mohammad Kaif Explains Why LSG Have "60-40" Advantage Over RCB

Lucknow Super Giants have a slight advantage over Royal Challengers Bangalore going into their IPL 2022 Eliminator at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, feels former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif. Kaif said that the KL Rahul-led side have the better bowling attack among the two teams and also have the edge when it comes to batting. LSG had finished third on the IPL 2022 points table in the league stage, while RCB managed to qualify for the knockouts by the skin of their teeth with a 4th place finish that was confirmed only after the penultimate league match.

"Basically, Lucknow's bowling is better and RCB's is quite weak. Mohammed Siraj dropped in the previous match and Siddarth Kaul came in place of him and ended up giving 40 runs in 4 overs, which is quite expensive," Mohammed Kaif said on 'Game Plan' on Star Sports.

"On the Eden Gardens pitch, apart from Hazlewood, RCB's bowling is quite weak. The bowling of Lucknow is better, so RCB must perform better with their batting, should hit more sixes then only, will be able to win today's match. It is a great battle!" he said.

He warned, however, that LSG have the edge with the bat, with their two openers Rahul and Quinton de Kock in fine form.

"Lucknow have an edge in their batting. KL Rahul and De Kock are in form and they also have a great bowling unit. So, RCB will have to work hard. If they hit more sixes, then they will win today's match," Kaif said.

"Maxwell's small innings will have to be turned into big ones and Virat Kohli will have to continue his form. If you ask from me, Lucknow is leading this battle with a 60-40 chance," he opined.

He suggested that KL Rahul plays with more freedom and doesn't let captaincy bog him down.

"According to me, KL Rahul wants to play a