Lucknow Super Giants might have made their debut in the IPL in 2022 but the team ended up playing the playoffs in both years of their existence.
LSG may have been newcomers but they dictated their own terms and bossed almost all other sides playing the cash-rich league since the inaugural edition. However, the Eliminator proved to be their nemesis on both occasions.
But now, after a shuffled coaching staff and some fresh faces in their squad for the 2024 edition, Lucknow will be eager to go all the way.
A key to their hopes will a fit-again KL Rahul, who missed over half of IPL 2023 after being ruled out mid-way through the season due to a hamstring injury.
They also have a new coach now. Andy Flower was replaced by Australia's Justin Langer ahead of the season, someone who pulled Australia out of the Sandpaper-Gate muddle. Additionally, their mentor Gautam Gambhir joined the Kolkata Knight Riders.
However, LSG delt a blow before the season as their pace spearhead Mark Wood was pulled out the season by ECB to manage his workload. He was replaced by West Indies young sensation Shamar Joseph.
Wood's absence is not likely to affect Lucknow much, given that they have a super pace battery. Apart from Joseph, Yash Thakur, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mayank Yadav, Yudhvir Singh and newly bought Shivam Mavi are capable of dominating opponents on their day.
STRENGTHS
LSG's biggest strength apart from KL Rahul at the top will once again be their fiery all-rounder. While Marcus Stoinis has been a constant since two years, Nicholas Pooran lit up the IPL in the last season. He has now also been given the vice-captain's responsibility.
Add to that Devdutt Padikkal, whom LSG traded from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL Auction, will add more strength to their batting unit.
WEAKNESSES
Deepak Hooda and Krunal Pandya not living up to their hype cost LSG big time in the last season. Young Ayush Badoni also throwing away his wicket on several occasions didn't help their cause. The 3 Indian stars are crucial cogs in the wheel and need to come good in order to have a strong season.
Probable Playing XI
Quinton de Kock (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Nicholas Pooran, KL Rahul (c), Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Mavi, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq
LSG schedule for IPL 2024
(Schedule for only the first 21 matches of IPL 2024 have been announced so far)
Match 4: Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants, Sunday, March 24, 3.30pm, Jaipur
Match 11: Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings, Sunday, March 30, 7.30pm, Lucknow
Match 14: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Lucknow Super Giants, Tuesday, April 2, 7.30pm, Bengaluru
Match 19: Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans, Sunday, April 7, 3.30pm, Lucknow
Lucknow Super Giants full squad for IPL 2024
KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Kyle Mayers, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Krunal Pandya, Yudhvir Singh, Prerak Mankad, Yash Thakur, Amit Mishra, Mark Wood, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, K. Gowtham, Shivam Mavi, Arshin Kulkarni, M. Siddharth, Ashton Turner, David Willey, Mohd. Arshad Khan