Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders in battle to cement berth in IPL play-offs

Lucknow: Lucknow Super Giants will have to bring in their ‘A' game to get the better of Kolkata Knight Riders when the teams clash in the IPL match in Lucknow on Sunday.

With a dominant 24 runs victory over Mumbai Indians propelling second-placed KKR to 14 points and a step closer to qualification for the play-offs, the pressure is on KL Rahul's LSG to find a way past the threat that Shreyas Iyer's side poses.

Lucknow Super Giants are placed just one rung below KKR at number three, with 12 points from 10 matches after six wins and four defeats.

With a rampant Sunrisers Hyderabad (12 points) hot on their heels at fourth, followed by the dangerous Chennai Super Kings (10 points) and Delhi Capitals (10 points), LSG will be under pressure to avoid getting into a mid-table battle as the race for the final-four intensifies.

LSG were far from convincing in their previous assignment at Ekana stadium in Lucknow. They were made to work hard in a modest 145-run chase by Mumbai Indians, winning by just four wickets in the last over.

Skipper Rahul and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis have been the key players for LSG and it remains to be seen if South Africa veteran Quinton de Kock is brought back in place of young Arshin Kulkarni, who opened the innings in the last game.

Even though he has gone without a fifty since the first game, Nicholas Pooran has consistently notched up crucial scores but LSG's overall finishing skills is under question following their struggles against Mumbai Indians.

LSG seemed to have made heavy weather towards the end, giving MI a real sniff by losing wickets in a flurry and completing their modest chase with some stutter.

Ayush Badoni has had a subdued run in this IPL and the uncapped Indian player would be keen to shrug off the rustiness.

LSG's bowlers will also face a stern test as none of them have made a real dent with individual brilliance in this IPL. LSG are also likely to be without express pacer Mayank Yadav. IANS

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