LSG vs GT, IPL preview: Can Lucknow Super Giants solve Powerplay puzzle vs Gujarat Giants?

LUCKNOW: The Super Giants return to Ekana on Sunday with momentum but not without a lingering concern. They have won two on the bounce after opening the season with a defeat, yet their starts remain patchy: LSG were 48/2 in the Powerplay against Delhi Capitals, 53/1 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and 56/2 against Kolkata Knight Riders.For a batting group featuring Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran, that is still under par. Sunday’s afternoon clash against Gujarat Titans here will test whether LSG can reverse this trend.Saturday’s training session suggested local conditions will again be the key subplot. A mixed-soil strip was rolled at Ekana and both teams trained through the afternoon heat. LSG pacer Mohsin Khan, incidentally, has been ruled out due to a niggle. LSG have ridden out their uneven starts because the middle order and bowling unit have repeatedly kept them alive. Ayush Badoni and Mukul Choudhary dragged them home against KKR while Mohammed Shami’s new-ball burst set up the win over Sunrisers. Mukul’s growing influence was evident when Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra spent around 15 minutes conversing with him at the nets.Mukul’s emergence has added fresh depth but Lucknow would prefer not to keep needing rescue acts.