All eyes on KL Rahul as LSG host DC

Cathy RushApril 22, 2025

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KL Rahul returned to Lucknow for the first time after leaving the super veterans after a bitter quarrel with owner Sanjeev Goenka.

The IPL 2025 season is in full swing, and the conflict between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capital (DC) in the match 40 promises to be a blockbuster. Along with both teams in the playoff race, the encounter at Bharat Ratna Shri Atil Bihari Vajpey Ekna Cricket Stadium of Lucknow is set to give high-octane cricket. Star-staded lineups, emotional stories, and a fiercely contested rivalry. It should look into a war as LSG with the aim of protecting the turf of your home against a combined DC side.

Matching details

date: April 22, 2025
venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atil Bihari Vajpey Ekna Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Time: 7:30 pm IST
Season: Clear, ~ 27 ° C, 42% humidity, no rain is expected, minor dew is possible in the second innings.

LSG vs DC Match Preview

Lucknow Super veteran, 5 out of 8 matches, finished fourth with winning, second place with Delhi Capital (DC), Lock Horns, who has 5 out of 7 matches. This season (Match 4, Vizag), chasing DC, saw 209 chasing in a thriller, who was thanks to Ashutosh Sharma’s unbeaten 66 by 316 runs. The LSG recently instigated a dramatic victory over Rajasthan Royals, where Evesh Khan’s last-over heroines sealed the victory.

Despite the loss to Delhi capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kaldeep Yadav has been continuously anchoring his bowling with 12 wickets in 7 matches. Emotional bets are high: KL Rahul faced his former team LSG, while Rishabh Pant took LSG against his old franchise DC. LSG’s batting, led by Nicholas Pudan (499 runs in IPL 2024 in strike rate) and Pant, is powerful, but injuries to Pamen Mayank Yadav and Akash weaken their attacks. DC’s balanced unit, with Jake Fraser-Makegurak’s aggression and Mitchell Starc, is a strict challenge. With a playoff spot on the line, expect a fierce, high scoring competition.

Ekna Stadium Pitch Report

In 2025, the Ekana Stadium pitch is a favor of batsmen, who moves away from their spin-rich past. The average score is 180, in which recent sports produce high yogas. Three of three of this season were won by teams, chasing three of the matches, suggesting that dew could play in the second innings. The red-soil surface provides good speed and bounce, early pacers and benefits the spinners later, while the batsmen can score independently once they are set. Captains can choose to bowl first to capitalize on chasing trends.

LSG vs DC Head-to-Hed

The rivalry is equally ready, but DC has won the last three matches, including a dramatic one-viccity chase in this season.

Play matches: 4

LSG wins: 3

DC wins: 3

Recent encounters

March 24, 2025 (Vizag): DC won 1 wicket (LSG 208/8, DC 209/9)
May 14, 2024: DC won by 19 runs (DC 208/4, LSG 189/9)
April 12, 2024: DC won 6 wickets (LSG 167/7, DC 170/4)
April 1, 2023: LSG won 50 runs (LSG 193/6, DC 143/9)
May 1, 2022: LSG won by 6 runs (LSG 195/3, DC 189/7)
April 7, 2022: LSG won 6 wickets (DC 149/3, LSG 154/4)

11 predicted to play

LSG XI playing

Gorn’s explosive form (499 runs in IPL 2024) and Pant’s leadership is important. Avesh Khan’s recent 3-cicat race promoted the attack, but the absence of Mayank Yadav and Akash Deep damaged his speed bowling.

Aiden Marcram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Poran, Rishabh Pant (C & WK), David Miller, Abdul Samad, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Yadav, Digwesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan

Impact player: Ayush Badoni/ Prince Yadav

DC playing xi

Kuldeep Yadav (12 wickets in IPL 2025) and Stark’s speed led the bowling. Ashutosh Sharma’s finishing (66*from 31 vs LSG) and Rahul’s experience against his old team added depth to DC’s lineup.

Abishek Porl, Karun Nair, KL Rahul (WK), Triston Stabs, Axer Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar