Indian T20 League 2022: Qualifier 2 – Bangalore vs Lucknow: Preview, Match Details, Pitch Conditions and Updates

Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals (Image Credit : BCCI/IPL)

Bangalore and Rajasthan will lock horns for a place in the final on May 27 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Red Army is coming off a win against Lucknow in the Eliminator. On the other hand, the 2008 winners are coming off a defeat against the finalists, Gujarat in Qualifier 1. A place in the finals is at stake and both teams would like to play to their full strength in this do-or-die game. Notably, both teams played each other two times in the league where the things were Even Stevens.

Team News

Bangalore

The three-time finalists played the way they are known to. Batting first, they scored in excess of 200 runs which shows the fearless approach of the team. Also, they took the monkey of losing in the eliminators off their back after winning the game by 14 runs. The team looks determined after getting lucky in the league stage where Mumbai helped them reach the playoffs by beating Delhi in their last league game. The team would be looking to keep their winning momentum going and storm into the final at the venue where they played one game last year and won against Delhi. In the upcoming game, they would like to go with an unchanged playing XI.

Key Players

Rajat Patidar: The uncapped Indian player rose to the occasion when the team needed him. He scored an unbeaten 112 to take the team to a competitive. The youngster carry his form in the next game.

Wanindu Hasaranga: The all-rounder is the second-highest wicket-taker in the competition with 25 wicket in 15 games. He went for 42 runs in the last game but took an important wicket of Deepak Hooda at a crucial juncture. However, with the bigger ground dimensions in the next game, it won’t be easy for batters to hit him out of the park.

Probable Playing XI: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj

Team News

Rajasthan

The Pink Brigade lost the game against Gujarat where they could have won. They took three wicket for 85 runs and had 104 runs to defend. However, bowlers couldn’t pick the wickets of Hardik Pandya and David Miller. Also, another reason for their loss was the slow start from Orange Cap holder Jos Buttler. He struggled in the initial phase of the innings although he made up for it in the last four overs of the innings. The team would like to get off a stronger start. They will hope that Butter bats the way he used to do in the first phase of the season. Also, the bowling department, who had a rare off-day in the season, would like to put this behind and bring their A-game.

Key Players

Jos Buttler: The Englishman has hit 718 runs in 15 games. He came back to form with an inning of 89 runs in the last game. He could be the one who can change the game in the favor of his side.

Yuzvendra Chahal: The leg-spinner has picked 26 wickets in the season and is the highest-wicket taker. He had an off-day against Gujarat but has the ability to come back strongly. He would love to do well against his former team.

Probable Playing XI: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna

Match Details

Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Date: May 27, 2022

Time: 7:30 PM IST

Broadcasting details: Star Sports and Disney + Hotstar

Pitch Report

The pitch at the venue is a fresh one as no games have played since February this year. As it was evident in Kolkata where the batters enjoyed their time at the crease, this venue might offer a flat wicket. However, expect the teams choosing to bat first after winning the toss thanks to the knockout pressure