IPL 2023: Skipper KL Rahul’s form will be under scrutiny as Lucknow Super Giants start sophomore campaign

The Lucknow Super Giants are the relatively new kids on the block having made their IPL debut only last year. However, they did not let that stop them from finishing 3rd in the league, ahead of the battle-hardened IPL franchises.
In this edition, they will surely hope to end their sophomore year on a high at least reaching the final. They certainly have the tools in their arsenal to achieve that.
But their skipper KL Rahul’s form will be a huge concern for them. Rahul, who was on song last year, has had a disappointing season in national colours. In the recent series against Sri Lanka, Australia and Bangladesh, he has just two 50+ scores in 13 innings (Tests and ODIs). He has also had torrid outings in the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup last year as India’s search for a first ICC trophy since 2013 continued.
Rahul’s form has seen him getting demoted to Grade B in the recently released BCCI players’ contracts while experts have called for his omission from the national team. The player might be facing a crisis of confidence as the IPL rolls on which might take a toll on LSG’s campaign.

On the other hand, all the recent criticism might add to his desire to prove the naysayers wrong. The LSG skipper might use the season to stake his claim for a place in the ODI team for the upcoming World Cup at home.

Kaptaan KL in his element 😌🤌🏻#LucknowSuperGiants | #LSG | #GazabAndaz | @klrahul pic.twitter.com/Biuzm5ZpRI
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) March 28, 2023
LSG’s core strength lies in the group of allrounders they have amassed with the likes of Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd and Marcus Stoinis in their ranks. They also have the explosive Quinton de Kock as Rahul’s opening partner but the South African will only be available for the squad after their first match against the Delhi Capitals due to national team commitments. De Kock is in the form of his life at the moment, recently scoring his 1st T20I century against the West Indies as the Proteas chased down 258 runs.

The LSG have also brought in the swashbuckling Nicholas Pooran who had a lacklustre season for the SunRisers Hyderabad last year but is a proven talent, helping to shore up the Lucknow middle order.

The bowling department is where LSG will struggle with their standout pacer from last year, Mohsin Khan, expected to miss a good chunk of the season due to a shoulder injury. They have Mark Wood, Avesh Khan and Daniel Sams to at least paper over the cracks in their pace battery but when it comes to spinners, only Ravi Bishnoi’s name comes to mind as the player to create an impact for them.
LSG Squad: KL Rahul (c), Ayush Badoni, Karan Sharma, Manan Vohra, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Krishnappa Gowtham, Deepak Hooda, Kyle Mayers, Krunal Pandya, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Mark Wood, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Nicholas Pooran, Jaydev Unadkat, Yash Thakur, Romario Shepherd, Daniel Sams, Amit Mishra, Prerak Mankad, Swapnil Singh, Naveen ul Haq, Yudhvir Charak