IPL 2022: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) SWOT Analysis and Schedule

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who are in their inaugural season, were the only team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction to use their whole budget. After signing KL Rahul (INR 17 crore), Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (INR 9.2 crore), and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (INR 4 crore) in the draught, the club entered the super auction with a total of INR 59.98 crore.

The franchise, led by Gautam Gambhir, made several savvy auction purchases, including South African star batsman Quinton de Kock (INR 6.75 crore), Manish Pandey (INR 4.6 crore), and Evin Lewis (INR 4.6 crore) (INR 2 crore). Jason Holder (INR 8.75 crore), Krunal Pandya (INR 8.25 crore), and Deepak Hooda (5.75 crore) were among the all-rounders purchased by LSG.

With the new cherry, pacer Avesh Khan (INR 10 crore), who has risen through the ranks in previous IPL seasons and even made it to the national squad, would be handed the duty. Mark Wood (INR 7.5 crore) of England and Dushmanta Chameera (INR 2 crore) of Sri Lanka will be among the options to open the bowling assault alongside Khan.

Lucknow Super Giants Squad For IPL 2022:

KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Jason Holder, Ravi Bishnoi, Manan Vohra, Mohsin Khan, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya, Avesh Khan, Ayush Badoni, Ankit Singh Rajpoot, Krishnappa Gowtham, Dushmanta Chameera, Shahbaz Nadeem, Kyle Mayers, Karan Sharma, Mark Wood, Evin Lewis, Mayank Yadav

Lucknow Super Giants SWOT Analysis IPL 2022 :

Strengths – Have good bowling options

LSG has a well-balanced bowling lineup going into the event. The fast-bowling department will be handled by pacers Mark Wood, Avesh Khan, and Jason Holder, who deliver early breakthroughs during the field limitations. Avesh Khan and Dushmanta Chameera can help stop the flow of runs in the death overs.

In addition, the franchise has a very active spin-bowling section. LSG features a range of finger spinners in Krishnappa Gowtham and Krunal Pandya, led by wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who has done exceptionally well for the Punjab Kings previous seasons. It’ll be intriguing to see whether skipper Rahul opts to deploy his finger spin options during the powerplay overs while saving overs from his speed bowlers for the death overs.

Weakness – Inexperienced Indian batters

Despite having an explosive opening batting partnership in KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, the lack of another seasoned Indian batsman may hinder the club. As a third option, Manish Pandey has been added to LSG’s batting order. However, he did not have a good time in the IPL 2021, while Manan Vohra has only made occasional appearances in the competition and is yet to impress.

Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krishnappa Gowtham, and Krunal Pandya are LSG’s strong power hitters. On the other hand, the franchise needs a batter who can stay with the team throughout the innings and serve as an anchor, and it will be up to captain Rahul and De Kock to fulfil that role.

Opportunity – Power hitters can show their nerve

Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Deepak Hooda, and Krishnappa Gowtham are LSG’s five all-rounder choices. All five batters have proved in the past that they can provide big hits, especially after innings, to help the franchise finish strong.

With the ICC T20 World Cup starting in October, this year’s IPL will be an excellent opportunity for LSG all-rounders, particularly Indian players, to make their case for selection. The Men in Blue are looking for a couple of power hitters down the order in their current home season. They have tried numerous possibilities, including Venkatesh Iyer, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Hooda. This could be the ideal occasion for LSG all-rounders to show their worth and be considered for the national team.

Threats – Various foreign players available in LSG

Skipper Rahul and mentor Gambhir will have their work cut out with four foreign players to choose from for the starting XI. Stoinis, an all-rounder, and De Kock, a wicketkeeper-batsman, are expected to make the team. LSG has far too many alternatives when choosing its following two international players.

LSG will have to choose between Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, and Evin Lewis, two of his compatriots. Similarly, it’d be a coin flip between pacer Dushmanta Chameera and Mark Wood to join Avesh Khan to spearhead the pace attack.

Lucknow Super Giants Schedule In IPL 2022

On March 28, the brand-new Lucknow Super Giants will take on another brand-new franchise, the Gujarat Titans, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

LSG will face the Chennai Super Kings at the Brabourne Stadium on March 31 after their first game against the Gujarat Titans. They will face SRH at the DY Patil Stadium on April 4. They will continue to play at the DY Patil Stadium on April 7 to face the Delhi Capitals. On April 10, they will play the Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium.

One of the most challenging obstacles for the Lucknow franchise will be facing the Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium, as it will be their first-afternoon game. On April 19, KL Rahul will face his city franchise, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, at the DY Patil Stadium.

On April 24, they will play their second game against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. KL Rahul, the captain, will face his former franchise Punjab Kings in their first game outside of Mumbai on April 29 at the MCA Stadium in Pune. On May 1, they will face DC for the second time at Wankhede Stadium.

On the 7th and 10th of May, they will play two back-to-back games in Pune, against KKR and GT, respectively. On May 15, they will meet the Rajasthan Royals at the Brabourne Stadium, and the DY Patil Stadium will host the Lucknow Supergiants in their final league game on May 18 versus KKR.

Check Out the Full IPL 2022 Schedule here.