Lucknow Super Giants will welcome Chennai Super Kings at their home for the second time in IPL history, in Match 34 of IPL 2024 at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday (April 19).

The Giants and the Kings had met three times in the past, and both won one match each, as one match ended with no result. In their last battle, CSK beat LSG by 12 runs at Chepauk.

LSG's successive three-match winning streak was slumped by two back-to-back defeats by DC and KKR and as a result, sat in fifth position in the points table with 6 points in six matches. Whereas the visitors are in the third position with 8 points by playing the same number of matches. CSK made a comeback by winning two matches after two successive defeats.

IPL 2024 LSG vs CSK: Bowling Squad Comparison

LSG bowling had been successful in keeping in check their opponents’ scores within 180 in a few matches but failed to do the same in their last two fixtures. Despite having some big names in the batting line-up, they are yet to be fired up this season, with the only exception of Nicholas Pooran. As a result, it is difficult for the bowlers to defend just 160-plus runs in back-to-back matches. The injury of Mayank Yadav made the situation worse for LSG. Though the 21-year-old started training it is not clear if he will play against CSK or not. If the situation remains the same Arshad Khan, Yash Thakur and Naveen ul Haq will be the main options for a pace attack.

For CSK the situation is quite the opposite. Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman are making it difficult to score in the early and the death overs. Ravindra Jadeja could be very useful with his orthodox spin in the conditions of Ekana Stadium. If CSK go for an extra spinner then Maheesh Theekshana could be a great addition to the playing XI.

IPL 2024 LSG vs CSK: Probable Top 4 Wicket-takers in Match 34

Yash Thakur (LSG): The 25-year-old Indian right-arm medium pacer got 7 wickets in his last two fixtures at Ekana Stadium. In the victory against GT, the Kolkata-born fast bowler was crucial with his five-wicket haul. Thakur played 14 matches in the IPL so far and bagged 20 wickets. In the absence of Mayank Yadav, LSG will be dependent on him against the star-packed batting line-up of CSK.

Matheesha Pathirana (CSK): The Srilankan right-handed fast bowler has scalped four of the MI batters in the last match and clinched the Man of the Match title. Pathirana already bagged 8 wickets in three matches in this season. The 21-year-old was pivotal in CSK's successful campaign in 2023, with 19 wickets in 12 matches. His accurate yorkers can be fatal in the death overs against Lucknow.

Tushar Deshpande (CSK): The 29-year-old Indian bowler was CSK's leading wicket-taker in the last IPL, taking 21 wickets in 16 matches. This season, the right-arm medium-fast bowler has already picked up six wickets. He has taken 31 wickets in his IPL career. Deshpande, like the previous season, in this season also getting wickets regularly.

Ravindra Jadeja (CSK): The 35-year-old veteran all-rounder with his left arm orthodox spin remains a key player for the franchise. Jadeja has 156 wickets in his IPL career and the last season, he picked 20 wickets. If the pitch provides grips, which often happens in Ekana Stadium, he can be very effective against the hosts.

CSK will come to Lucknow with confidence due to their recent forms. It will be a herculean task for the Giants’ batters to defend against the CSK bowling, where everyone has something unique to deliver. Yet a fierce attempt to win the game is expected from LSG against the five-time champions, as a defeat at this juncture can be very costly to their three successive play-off dreams.