IPL 2023: Why KL Rahul is not playing for Lucknow Super Giants against Chennai Super Kings?

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KL Rahul injury update: Lucknow Super Giants skipper Lokesh Rahul is not playing the IPL 2023 match against Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday (May 3) at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

LSG captain KL Rahul didn't come out for the coin toss with MS Dhoni in the reverse fixture between the two sides and missed an important game.

Rahul sustained an injury in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday (May 1) and that hamstring injury has kept the right-handed batter out of the game today.

If reports are to be believed, Rahul's injury is quite serious and The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken the matter into its own hands, considering Rahul - who pulled his hip flexor muscle - is in India's Test squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia next month.

As per a Cricbuzz report, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical team in Bengaluru will take stock of Rahul's fitness and will take a call on his availability in the remainder of the IPL. LSG vs RCB, IPL 2023: What happened to KL Rahul?

Although Rahul is in Lucknow with the LSG squad he will not be playing the reverse fixture against CSK. In the Karnataka cricketer's absence, all-rounder Krunal Pandya will be leading the side against MS Dhoni & Co.

As per the Cricbuzz report, Rahul is still in pain and has swelling. The right-handed batter's decision to come out and bat against RCB in the unsuccessful chase was also questioned because, by the time he walked to bat at number 11, the game was already lost. The report said Rahul and LSG will now be guided by the NCA advice.

It is also being reported that Rahul is set to miss the remainder of the IPL 2023 season as the injury is quite serious and the BCCI would want him to get fit prior to the WTC Final next month.

Against CSK, LSG would also be facing the heat as they failed to chase down a paltry total of 126 in their own den and were bundled out for just 108 in 19.5 overs by RCB. IPL 2023: KL Rahul and Lucknow Super Giants suffer huge blow as Star Bowler set to leave in May

In Rahul's absence, it will be interesting to see how LSG take care of their opening department. Kyle Mayers opened batting alongside Manan Vohra against CSK but the duo were dismissed in single figures.

LSG's weakness of succumbing to pressure, especially when their skipper Rahul is not available, could give the MS Dhoni-led CSK enough confidence to go all out on the offensive.

LSG may be placed third on the IPL standings with 10 points from nine games but the shattering blow to their morale following the 18-run loss to RCB could be exploited by CSK, who too are on 10 points from nine matches but placed fourth due to an inferior net run rate (NRR). LSG vs CSK Match Prediction - Predicted Winner of IPL 2023 Match 45

Though CSK are coming off consecutive losses to Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings, their ability to bounce back can never be underestimated. LSG vs CSK Dream11 prediction, IPL 2023: Fantasy picks, captain and vice-captain choices

With the tactical acumen of Dhoni playing a vital role in most of their victories this season, the former India captain could exploit the situation, especially if Rahul does not play on Wednesday.

CSK will once again lean heavily on their New Zealand opener Devon Conway, who has been in the form of his life, scoring 414 runs from nine matches at an average of 59.14 and strike rate of 144.25.

Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (C, injured), Jaydev Unadkat (injured), Avesh Khan, Ayush Badoni, Quinton de Kock, Krishnappa Gowtham, Arpit Guleria, Deepak Hooda, Prerak Mankad, Kyle Mayers, Amit Mishra, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Daniel Sams, Karan Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Marcus Stoinis, Swapnil Singh, Manan Vohra, Mark Wood, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh.