Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals Predictions: Lucknow look better on paper going into the game

A new season of IPL is underway and Lucknow Super Giants will welcome Delhi Capitals in the third game of the season at Ekana Sports City on 1st April. The teams had a good IPL last time around they will be looking to build on it. Who will win and start the new season on a positive note?

Lucknow Super Giants showed promise in the first season of the IPL. They went to the playoffs but were defeated by Royal Challengers Bangalore. The team will be looking to replicate the success they had in the first season and go further in the playoffs. KL Rahul has done well in IPL with the bat and will be hoping to continue the same this season as well. He has scored 3889 runs in 109 games and will be the key player for Lucknow with the bat. His opening partner De Kock is unavailable for selection due to his national duties. Mark Wood and Avesh Khan will be important for Lucknow with the ball.

KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni, Jaydev Unadkat, Mark Wood, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi

Delhi missed out on qualifying last year but they will be hoping to get it this year. The team has a fair bit of injury and many players are unavailable at the start of the season. Captain Rishab Pant will be out of the tournament due to injury. David Warner will be leading the line in his absence. Proteas pair Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi will arrive late to the tournament due to national duty. Delhi can and will have to experiment with some new players in this game to build up for the season. 

David Warner (c), Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rilee Russouw Sarfaraz Khan (wk), Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Chetan Sakariya, Khaleel Ahmed

We are expecting an average-scoring game in this IPL venue as we have seen historically. The players will have to spend some time on the pitch before going all out. The team will be looking to bat first and put up a target on the board. Bowlers will get little help in the initial phases of the game. We expect Lucknow to start the season on a high at home with a win given that they are a better-looking team on paper.