IPL 2022, LSG vs CSK: Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants aim to bounce back from opening losses

Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants both endured losses in their opening matches of IPL 2022. While it was a crushing 6-wicket defeat for CSK against Kolkata Knight Riders, LSG lost an edge-of-the-seat thriller to Gujarat Titans. A common factor in their defeats was the failure of the top-order, and Chennai as well as Lucknow would look to correct that at the Brabourne Stadium when they square off on Thursday. Interestingly, the first four matches in this year’s IPL have been won by teams chasing and it is evident that dew is playing a factor in the outcome of matches. Both CSK and LSG lost their opening games after batting first, and they are likely to prefer the chase if the coin falls in their favour.

During Chennai’s first match, it was there for everyone to see that MS Dhoni was captaining the side even though Ravindra Jadeja was anointed the skipper before the season. On the other hand, KL Rahul’s tactical acumen has come under a lot of scrutiny – whether it has been when he has led the Indian team or his previous IPL franchise Punjab Kings. The first match at the helm of Lucknow also left a lot to be desired. For Lucknow, it was Ayush Badoni who impressed with his daredevil strokeplay. The slog-swept six off Rashid Khan’s bowling or the hooked six off Lockie Ferguson’s express pace showed Badoni’s brilliance at the crease.

The seasoned top-order batters of LSG – Rahul, Quinton de Kock and Manish Pandey – will have to come up with the goods if the team hopes to get the better of CSK. The allrounders in Lucknow’s middle-order – Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya – have showed form.

In the bowling department, Dushmantha Chameera breathed fire in his opening spell and he will require support from his fellow