LUCKNOW: Lucknow Super Giants will host Rajasthan Royals on Saturday night in a game crucial for both teams. Having won seven of their eight matches, RR will be looking forward to sealing a playoff berth with another win here.
Meanwhile, LSG will eye revenge after having lost their inaugural encounter against Royals in Jaipur by 20 runs.
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In the last few matches, LSG have had to face injuries in their fast-bowling unit, with young sensation Mayank Yadav and left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan going missing.
Mayank's fate remains uncertain, though he practiced in the nets on Friday. Earlier, LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel had said that Mayank might make a comeback against RR.
In the pre-match conference, LSG's assistant coach Sridharan Sriram said, "Mayank bowled today in the nets but I am not sure if he will play."
LSG look in form as they have won back-to-back matches against CSK. Marcus Stoinis shattered multiple records as he remained unbeaten on 124 off 63 balls.
Stoinis smoked six sixes and 13 fours in his match-winning knock. The Australian batter registered the highest individual score against CSK in the IPL.
However, the top order faltered as Quinton de Kock and skipper KL Rahul could not perform well. Devdutt Padikkal looks out of form.
RR's campaign, meanwhile, is on the right track. They have a strong all-round side and Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal look in form. After initially looking off colour, Jaiswal smashed a century off just 59 balls against Mumbai Indians.
In the bowling department, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna and Ravichandran Ashwin brought victory against LSG.
RR will benefit from the presence of Avesh Khan, as he has been a part of LSG in the past. He knows the pitch and conditions well.
