IPL 2022, LSG vs KKR: Spotlight on tactical battle as in-form Lucknow Super Giants take on Kolkata Knight Riders

Contrasting fortunes for KL Rahul, Shreyas IyerThey are two of the most prolific batters for Team India, both possessing attractive shots in their armoury. Both make sure the spectators get their money's worth while they bat. One a languid opening batsman, while the other a clever middle-order bat who can get the better of the best of bowlers. The other interesting facet of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer is their leadership abilities. While Rahul led Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in prior IPLs, Iyer has enjoyed the role of captaining an IPL side with Delhi Capitals before.

This season Rahul and Iyer are leading two different teams but with contrasting results. Under Rahul's captaincy, newbies Lucknow Super Giants are sitting pretty at the second spot in the points table, having accumulated 14 points (7 wins) from 10 games. Iyer was specifically bought at the auction by Kolkata Knight Riders with a plan to make him the captain. KKR started well under Iyer's leadership and racked up three wins in their first four matches, but then the team hit a roadblock and lost the next five games on the trot.

It was only in their previous game – against Rajasthan Royals – that the Knight Riders managed to break the losing streak. At present, the Iyer-led team are in eighth spot in the table with 8 points from 10 matches. So when LSG and KKR face each other for the first time in this year's IPL, it will also be a clash of the tactical acumen of Rahul and Iyer at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Saturday. A win for LSG will more or less ensure them a spot in the Playoffs, while KKR would look to remain afloat in the competition. The 2012 and 2014 IPL-winning side need to emerge triumphant in all the remaining four games to harbour any chance