IPL 2022: Best Predicted Playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

Plenty of all-rounders, the key focus as we look at the best predicted playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) IPL 2022.

The second new recruit joining the prestigious IPL tournament, the Lucknow Super Giants did pretty well in terms of their resource planning ahead of IPL 2022. Not only did they retain good players before the auction, the strategy they adopted in the auction resulted in them getting potent options for IPL 2022.

Lucknow Super Giants had retained KL Rahul for a whopping salary of INR 17 Cr; the most this year in IPL, and joint highest in the history of IPL alongside Virat Kohli. Then they had retained Marcus Stoinis for INR 9.2 Cr with Purse deduction as INR 10 Cr, and uncapped Ravi Bishnoi for INR 4 Cr.

For Auction, Lucknow managed to get a superb first-choice 11 – the one we will see in this article. Their major focus was on getting as many all-rounders as possible, and for that, they did a brilliant job. As many as 5 all-rounders seem to be sure shot starters in their playing 11. In addition, LSG got some really good pacers and batters in their arsenal. 

So, with the kind of squad LSG have assembled, let’s look at the best predicted playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2022? Before that, let’s also look at the complete squad of LSG. Also, please note, the playing 11 is selected keeping 4-5 batters, minimum 2 all-rounders, 1 wicket-keeper, and minimum 3 pacers in mind. 

IPL 2022 Final Squad for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): 

Batters and WKs:  Evin Lewis, Manan Vohra, Manish Pandey, KL Rahul (C&WK) & Quinton de Kock (WK)

All-rounders: Ayush Badoni, Deepak Hooda, Jason Holder, Karan Sharma, Krishnappa Gowtham, Krunal Pandya, Kyle Mayers & Marcus Stoinis

Bowlers: Ankit Rajpoot, Avesh Khan, Dushmantha Chameera, Mark Wood, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ravi Bishnoi & Shahbaaz Nadeem

Openers: KL Rahul (C) & Quinton de Kock (WK)

While LSG already had KL Rahul as a strong captain opener, the recruitment of Quinton de Kock almost solves their opening equation for IPL 2022. The combination of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock can possibly be the strongest opening combination in IPL 2022. 

From the role perspective, KL Rahul can be the anchor as he had also done in the last few IPLs, and Quinton can be the aggressor as he had been for Mumbai Indians and South Africa. KL Rahul can also look to play freely as there is a strong batting line-up to follow. Hopefully, we see the KL Rahul of 2018, which was not only dangerous but also consistent. 

Middle-order: Manish Pandey, Marcus Stoinis & Deepak Hooda

LSG with see their middle-order in the form of Manish Pandey, Marcus Stoinis, and Deepak Hooda. While Manish will have an important anchor role to play at number 3, Marcus Stoinis and Deepak Hooda can play the aggressors. The rise of Deepak Hooda to International cricket should give confidence to KL Rahul, the captain. 

Finisher All-rounders: Krishnappa Gowtham, Krunal Pandya & Jason Holder

Coming to finisher all-rounders, LSG have another sorted trio. They have three strong all-rounders that would take up this role. The batting order can be flexible, but LSG should ideally play Krishnappa Gowtham at 6, Krunal Pandya at 7, and Jason Holder at 8. Not only will they get a good batting depth, but with Marcus and Deepak already there, they get two more good bowling options. 

Overall, LSG have 5 all-rounders in their best playing 11 – a luxury that no other team has. In addition to three pure bowlers which LSG will play, they have Jason Holder and Krunal Pandya as bowling all-rounders and Marcus Stoinis, K Gowtham and Deepak Hooda as batting all-rounders. This is KL Rahul’s best chance to make sure LSG make it to the playoffs and beyond. 

Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Mark Wood & Avesh Khan

Talking about pure bowlers, LSG have potent quality here. Ravi Bishnoi will lead the spin attack for them having impressed in the limited opportunities he has got with PBKS and Team India. From a pace attack point of view, the pace of Mark Wood and Avesh Khan seems too hot to handle.

It would be interesting to see if Mark Wood remains fit and available for the entire season. Having invested around a Million dollars in Mark Wood, LSG would want their leading pacer to be available throughout the IPL. He can form a lethal pair alongside Avesh and Holder. 

Overall, the strongest playing 11 of Lucknow Super Giants could potentially be the strongest playing 11 among all teams. There’s hardly any weakness in their playing 11, and if they get their form right, there would be no stopping the team to finish in the top 2. 

Best Predicted Playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2022:

KL Rahul (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Manish Pandey, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder, Ravi Bishnoi, Mark Wood & Avesh Khan

So, that completes the best predicted playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2022. Overall, this looks the best possible playing 11 for LSG, and if all players are available, we should see the same starting playing 11. Meanwhile, barring the above-mentioned best playing 11, Lucknow Super Giants can also look at the following combinations. 

Other Playing 11 Options for Lucknow Super Giants:

• Evin Lewis or Kyle Mayers for Quinton de Kock at the top with KL Rahul donning the wicket-keeping duties
• Manan Vohra for Quinton de Kock, and Dushmantha Chameera for Krishnappa Gowtham to boost the pace bowling
• Shahbaz Nadeem for Krishnappa Gowtham for more spin bowling options

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2022? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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