IPL 2024: Why are Lucknow Super Giants wearing green and maroon jersey against KKR?

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) took the field against two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday (Apr 14) afternoon in a rather unusual manner. The team from Lucknow, instantly recognised by the dark blue jersey was seen sporting a green and maroon colour jersey that took unsuspecting viewers by surprise. As it turns out, the franchise has donned the special jersey as a tribute to the city and its famous football club, Mohun Bagun Super Giant.

LSG is owned by Sanjiv Goenka's RPSG Group, which also owns the iconic football club, currently plying its trade in the Indian Super League (ISL). LSG had worn a similar jersey during their game against KKR in 2023.

Notably, the football club was earlier known as Mohun Bagan only. However, after the RPSG Group acquired majority shareholding in the club in 2020, it was named ATK Mohun Bagan. After the historic club won the ISL 2023 title, it was rebranded as Mohun Bagan Super Giants.

LSG vs KKR

LSGcome into the contest, having never lost against KKR on the past three occasions. A win would catapult them to second on the points table, ahead of KKR.

KKR captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first on a deck which appears to have something for the bowlers.

"We'll bowl first. Feels nostalgic, the crowd is electrifying and this was what we missed playing out of Kolkata, great feeling to be back. I've no idea about the conditions, the last game was a belter, but we're professionals and will have to adapt," said Iyer, who revealed that Rinku Singh had been benched and Harshit Rana came in place of him.

Meanwhile, LSG captain KL Rahul said: "I would have bowled first, but this does look like a good pitch. It was important to recover on a short turnover, it's just about making sure that everyone is rested and recovered well."

"Few changes - Padikkal and Naveen-ul-Haq miss out, Shamar Joseph and Deepak Hooda are back. Mohsin Khan is back as well."

Teams:

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul(w/c), Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Shamar Joseph, Yash Thakur

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Philip Salt(w), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer(c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy