IPL 2023: After the mini-auction, LSG’s best-predicted playing XI

IPL 2023: After the mini-auction, LSG’s best-predicted playing XI

In their Indian Premier League inaugural year, Lucknow Super Giants had an incredible run. At the conclusion of the league stage, they had a string of victories and were third in the points standings with nine victories in 14 games. But regrettably, they were eliminated from the competition after falling to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator.

The Lucknow franchise moved past seven of its players prior to the IPL 2023 auction, and thanks to the releases, they entered the premier event with INR 23.35 crore in their bank account. LSG went over and beyond during the player auction to secure Nicholas Pooran, spending an absurd INR 16 crore to do so. They expanded their roster by adding T20 talents like Daniel Sams and Romario Shepherd.

It would be intriguing to see what starting XI the Lucknow team management chooses for the upcoming season given the abundance of talented players on the roster.

Here is the playing XI of LSG after the conclusion of the mini-auction: 

1. KL Rahul

KL In the previous couple of years, Rahul has been one of the T20 circuit’s most reliable players. The star batsman has participated in 72 T20 Internationals and amassed 2265 runs at a strike rate of 139.12. In the lucrative league, he has been a run machine, scoring 3889 runs with a strike rate of 136.22 in 109 games.

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Rahul can expertly direct the batting as the other stroke-makers rip the bowling to shreds. With his daring stroke play, he has amused himself by dismantling top-notch attacks. He also has an aggressive side to his game.

Rahul, 30, was given the job of serving as the team’s leader by the Lucknow franchise, and he did so to the best of his ability. During the 2022 season, he took the initiative and scored 616 runs with a strike rate of 135.38 in 15 games. LSG anticipates their captain performing at the top of his game during the upcoming IPL season.

2. Quinton de Kock

In the T20 league, Quinton de Kock has been a behemoth of a player. In the shortest format, the 30-year-old has participated in 291 games and scored 8497 runs with a strike rate of 137.55. He also demonstrated his prowess in the IPL, scoring 2764 runs with a strike rate of 133.91 in 92 games.

De Kock was fairly impressive in the lucrative T20 tournament’s 15th iteration, scoring 508 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 148.97. When the squad was in danger, he helped to steady the ship. He also used his marauding bat to destroy elite bowling lineups.

The seasoned player was a huge help to Lucknow captain Rahul in arranging the fielders and offered insightful contributions from behind the wickets. The management of the squad would like to see Quinton, a key component of LSG’s setup, perform at the top of his game in the upcoming campaign.

3. Deepak Hooda

At the 2022 mega auction, Lucknow secured Deepak Hooda for INR 5.75 crore. The 27-year-old caught the tournament by storm with his astounding skills, so it turned out to be a great purchase. He played in 15 games and had a strike rate of 136.67 while scoring 451 runs.

The management of the club considered Hooda for the number three position when Manish Pandey was having trouble getting going and had scored only 88 runs in six games. The Rohtak native succeeded, thus he will probably play the same position in the upcoming season.

Hooda has also proven his batting prowess internationally, scoring 302 runs at a 150.24 strike rate in 15 T20Is. He was also accepted into India’s squad for the just finished T20 World Cup 2022 as a result of his excellent performances.

In addition to his skill with the bat, Hooda is also highly skilled with the ball and can be deployed in a favourable matchup. The 16th IPL season is where Lucknow would like to see the batting all-rounder perform at his peak.

4. Nicholas Pooran

In the T20 circuit, Nicholas Pooran has held a notable position. He has played in 256 T20 matches, scoring 4942 runs at an incredible strike rate of 141.15. The 27-year-old has also ignited the IPL arena with his incredible performances, scoring 912 runs with a strike rate of 151.24 in 47 games.

At the IPL 2023 auction, the Lucknow franchise fought tooth and nail to get Pooran’s services, and they eventually did so for a staggering INR 16 crore. The West Indies batter will most likely fill Evin Lewis’ previous position in the middle of the order.

Pooran is a fierce cricket ball striker who has the capacity to immediately start attacking the opposition. The Lucknow franchise is hoping the wicketkeeper-batter lights up the IPL 2023 with his magnificent batting displays and that his arrival would offer explosiveness to the batting line-up.

5. Krunal Pandya

In the Indian Premier League, Krunal Pandya has been a name that can be counted on. With 98 appearances and 1326 runs with a strike rate of 136.70, the 31-year-old has participated in 98 games. In terms of his bowling, he has 61 wickets at a 7.31 economy.

Krunal Pandya was purchased by the Lucknow Super Giants at the 2022 super auction to bolster the side. With the bat, the southpaw had a respectable season, taking ten wickets in 14 games for an economy of 6.97. The all-rounder was only able to score 183 runs at a dismal strike rate of 126.21, failing to make an impact with the bat.

The team administration has persevered with Krunal despite his generally subpar season because of the overall balance he gives to the team. The ace all-rounder can suffocate the opponent with his constant line and length with the ball and can be utilised as a floater in the middle order with the bat. The Ahmedabad native would be eager to perform better in the 16th IPL season.

6. Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis has a track record of success in the T20 league. In the shortest format, he has played in 213 games and amassed 4323 runs at a strike rate of 135.55. The Australian all-rounder has also taken 95 wickets for a 9.0 economy. The 33-year-old has demonstrated his all-around strength in IPL competition as well. He has 34 wickets in the competition and 1070 runs with a strike rate of 137.36.

For the 2022 campaign, LSG selected the premier all-around player and assigned him the finishing position. For his new team, Stoinis did admirably, scoring 156 runs in 11 games at a strike rate of 147.17. He did not bowl at his best, however, and gave up runs at an economy of 11.29.

Stoinis will once more be trusted to carry the load with the bat in the slog overs when LSG take the field in the lucrative league’s 2023 season. He will also probably be the team’s fourth seamer and is eager to demonstrate better bowling.

7. Ayush Badoni

One of the most intriguing prospects in the Indian domestic circuit right now is Ayush Badoni. He has played in 29 T20 games thus far, scoring 294 runs with a 130.08 strike rate. At the 2022 mega auction, Lucknow franchise secured the youngster for a basic price of INR 20 lakh.

With his dazzling heroics, the Delhi-born player lit up the lucrative T20 tournament’s 15th iteration. He entered the field with LSG at 29 for 4 and scored a stunning half-century to lift his team to a respectable total in his IPL debut (2022 season) against Gujarat Titans.

Additionally, Badoni displayed steely nerves and delivered a brilliant cameo of 19* runs off of nine deliveries to help his team win the seventh match of the season against Chennai Super Kings. He had 161 runs under his belt in 13 matches with a strike rate of 123.85 by the end of the competition, although his form had declined in the second part of the season.

Badoni is likely to win a spot in Lucknow’s starting XI in the upcoming season given that he showed flashes of brilliance in the previous campaign.

8. Ravi Bishnoi

Since entering the IPL scene, Ravi Bishnoi has been absolutely fantastic. He has taken 37 wickets in as many games at an economy of 7.53 while confusing hitters with his variations. Additionally, he has demonstrated his bowling prowess for India, taking 16 wickets in 10 T20Is for an economy of 7.08.

Bishnoi is a bowler with a lion’s heart who does not falter under duress. He is a true wicket-taker and shows no fear in the face of challenges from hitters. The ace spinner was chosen by Lucknow as one of their draughts picks for the 2022 campaign, and his job would be to direct the spin attack.

Bishnoi performed admirably for the Lucknow franchise, taking 13 wickets in 14 games at an 8.44 economy rate. In the upcoming season, the Jodhpur-native hopes to improve upon his performance and put on a show with the ball.

9. Avesh Khan

In the Indian Premier League’s 2021 season, Avesh Khan caused havoc with the bat, taking 24 wickets in 16 games for Delhi Capitals at an economy rate of 7.37. At the 2022 super auction, the Lucknow franchise fired all of its shots in an attempt to snag the top pacer, and they succeeded in doing so for an astounding INR 10 crore.

With the ball, Avesh repaid LSG’s trust by capturing 18 wickets in 13 games at an economy of 8.73. He entered the worldwide circuit as a result of his outstanding performances. But the 25-year-old was unable to make a difference for the Men in Blue. He has taken 13 wickets in 15 T20Is but has also given up runs at a startling 9.10 per over.

Avesh possesses a wide range of bowling variations and the ability to bowl in all aspects of the game. He would aim to put his disappointing performances while wearing the Indian flag behind him and excel in the upcoming season of the lucrative league.

10. Mark Wood

In the white-ball league, Mark Wood has been a strike force for England. He has regularly recorded speeds of above 150 kph, and his ferocious velocity has alarmed hitters. The talented bowler has played in 27 T20Is and has taken 44 wickets with an 8.27 economy.

Wood was signed by Lucknow for the astounding sum of INR 7.5 crore, but the gamble did not pay off because the speedster’s elbow injury prevented him from competing in the entire tournament. However, he is currently well and available, and he is prepared to light up the IPL 2023 with his abilities.

Since his return to the international team following his recovery, Wood has been a fire breathing player. In eight games, he has taken 18 wickets for an economy of 7.15. In the upcoming edition, he is eager to repeat the feat for the Lucknow Super Giants.

11. Mohsin Khan

The Indian domestic circuit has seen Mohsin Khan consistently deliver. He’s played in 17 List-A games and taken 26 wickets at an average of 5.15 with his bat. The left-arm bowler has an economy of 6.78 in the shortest format and has claimed 47 wickets in 35 games.

With his astounding achievements, Mohsin ignited the lucrative T20 tournament’s 15th iteration. At the beginning of the innings, the left-arm pacer made the ball talk and gave LSG quick breakthroughs. He was also very good in the middle and death overs.

The Sambhal-born player participated in nine contests and claimed 14 wickets with a perfect economy of 5.97. For the Lucknow franchise in the IPL 2023, Mohsin will want to build on his success and be a ball-striking force.