Lucknow Super Giants have proved their ability to bounce back from tough positions and pull off wins in this IPL. Their previous game against Gujarat Titans was one such instance as they did so in spite of being a regular bowler short.

So, going by form and momentum, the Super Giants are in a much better space than Delhi Capitals, who they host on Friday. Besides, the Capitals, who have so far won only one of their five matches, go into Friday’s game with back-to-back losses.

Bowling is the Super Giants’ strength, which they have proved so far this season. It has not just been about their young quick Mayank Yadav’s performance, but spinners Ravi Bishnoi, Krunal Pandya and Manimaran Siddharth have also risen to the occasion.

The game will most likely be played on a black-soil pitch, and that implies another spin-friendly surface at the Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow, which the struggling Capitals line-up will have to deal with.

The Capitals, however, are hopeful of the return of chinaman Kuldeep Yadav and pacer Mukesh Kumar in their XI.

Mayank injury

Pacer Mayank is set to miss not just Friday’s game, but also the Super Giants’ clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Sunday.

“We had an MRI scan done (at the top of Mayank’s hip), and there’s a very, very small swelling in there. Our plan is to have him fit against Chennai Super Kings (on April 19).

“But he’s certainly working towards playing whenever he possibly can,” Lucknow head coach Justin Langer said on Thursday.