Rajasthan Royals, the table toppers currently, have looked to be the most powerful team in IPL 2023 so far. But Lucknow Super Giants are not far behind, sitting on the second position on the points table.
But the points do not narrate the entire story. While on paper, Lucknow have won just one match less than the Royals, they haven’t really been as complete and authoritative as the Sanju Samson-led team. And that is the reason why the Royals would start as favourites when the two teams clash in Jaipur on Wednesday.
Royals have excelled on almost all fronts. With the bat, they have had men in top form and with the ball, they have variety. Their exceptional spin attack of Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Adam Zampa gives them an edge over all other teams.
Lucknow, on the other hand, have been patchy. Captain KL Rahul has returned among runs, but his batting is yet to inspire confidence. Bowling-wise, they have fared better with Mark Wood and Ravi Bishnoi being the standout performers.
The match might turn out to be a contest between two Caribbean finishers. Royals’ Shimron Hetmyer is batting at a strike rate of 184.84, while Lucknow’s Nicholas Pooran is doing even better, at 216.92. Who will have the last laugh?
