IPL 2024, LSG vs GT Match Preview: Mayank takes spotlight as Lucknow host Gujarat

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be hosting Gujarat Titans (GT) in Indian Premier League (IPL) match 21 on April 7 in Lucknow. Both teams are at four points in the middle of the table and would be looking to claim the third spot on the points table with a win. While LSG so far have played three games and won two of them, GT are at two wins and two losses after four games.

LSG's new pace sensation Mayank Yadav is again in the spotlight after delivering two back-to-back Player of the Match performances in his first two IPL games. Yadav, who has lit up the ongoing IPL season, has six wickets in two games after taking 3/27 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and 3/14 against RCB.

He has also bowled the fastest delivery of the season at 156.7 kmph vs PBKS, improving on his record of 155.8 kmph from the previous match. Yadav's fastest delivery of the season is now fourth on the list of all-time fastest deliveries of the league. Ahead of him are Shaun Tait (157.7 kmph in IPL 2011), Lockie Ferguson (157.3 in IPL 2022) and Umrah Malik (157 kmph in IPL 2022).

For Gujarat, their batting and bowling both would again be in focus as they have once lost while chasing a 200+ total and failed to defend one as well. The defeat in their last match against Punjab Kings would still be hurting as they lost the match from winning position after two rookies helped PBKS chase 200.

Talking about Lucknow, Mayank has taken over all the spotlight which has given other players to find form. Quinton de Kock found his form with 56-ball 81 in the last game but skipper KL Rahul has largely struggled this season. Among other who now need to step up for LSG are Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni and Marcus Stoinis.