Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are hosting Punjab Kings in the 11th match of the IPL 2024 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday, March 30. While both the teams are coming after a loss in their respective matches, the home side are yet to open their win account in the tournament.
Just at the start of the match, it was a shock as Nicholas Pooran took the field as captain of LSG, replacing KL Rahul. When asked about KL Rahul’s inclusion in the XI, “KL has an injury and we’re looking to give him a break in such a long tournament, but he’ll play as an impact substitute,” stand-in skipper Nicholas Pooran said at the toss.
Speaking of the toss, it was the new skipper Nicholas Pooran, who won the toss and opted to bat first. Speaking of the pitch and the preparation, Pooran said, “Looks like a good track, runs on the board could be vital.”
Speaking of KL Rahul, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter was cleared by the NCA ahead of the tournament, but was advised against wicketkeeping in the first few games. “It is understood that he (KL Rahul) has been told to avoid squatting initially and he can don the big gloves in coming days. For first few games, he will only play as pure batter,” the BCCI source told PTI.
Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI:
Quinton de Kock (wk), KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran (C), Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth.