Mitchell Marsh’s absence for Saturday, April 12’s matchup against the Gujarat Titans (GT), who are currently atop the league, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium has dealt the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) a severe setback.
Coming into this match, Lucknow is fresh off an exciting four-run victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. The Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, are won four straight games. They defeated Rajasthan Royals by 58 runs earlier this week in Ahmedabad.
Toss Update
Rishabh Pant won the toss for LSG and invited GT to bat first. He said that he was happy to have won the last two games and lauded the effort from the bowlers. Meanwhile, Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill admitted that he would have also bowled first had he won the toss. However, he said that the surface could remain the same for the entire match. He also highlighted that everyone in the team is contributing this season.
New opening pair for Lucknow as Mitchell Marsh misses out
Pant said at the toss that the in-form Marsh would be missing this contest as his little daughter, Lila, is unwell. Himmat Singh comes in for the Australian all-rounder. Marsh had formed a great opening partnership of 99 runs in the last game with Aiden Markram. However, LSG are now forced to go for a new opening pair in this contest. Meanwhile, Shubman said that they have brought back Washington Sundar into the side in place of Kulwant Khejroliya.
What did the captains say?
Rishabh Pant, LSG skipper, said
We are going to bowl first. The wicket looks good we want to explore the conditions under the dry sun, that’s why we are bowling first, Happy to win the last two matches. As a team, we talk about the process and the team is responding well now. Bowlers have done a really good job, we have to give credit to them. A lot of times, they bowl hard overs, you got to give them care and love. Just one change. Instead of Mitchell Marsh, Himmat Singh comes in. His daughter is not well, he’s looking after that.
Shubman Gill, GT skipper, said.
I would have bowled first as well. I don’t think the wicket is going to change much. Everyone is contributing in their way, that’s been one of the hallmarks for us. For us, it’s all about playing one game after the other, doesn’t matter how many games we have won or lost in the past. It’s about giving our best. Washi (Sundar) comes in for Kulwant (Khejroliya).
Playing 11s
Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (WK & C), Himmat Singh, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi.
Impact Substitutes: Ayush Badoni, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Matthew Breetzke, Shamar Joseph
Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj.
Impact Substitutes: Prasidh Krishna, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Nishant Sindhu, Jayant Yadav
India
