IPL 2022: LSG vs RCB, Eliminator: Head-to-Head, Probable XI and Match Prediction

The losing team will end their campaign, whereas the winner will play the second qualifier in Ahmedabad against Rajasthan Royals. 

It will be the second match between the two teams this season. In the first clash, Royal Challengers Bangalore won the game by 18 runs after posting 181 on the scoreboard at a loss of 6 wickets. In that match, skipper Faf du Plessis scored 96 off 64, playing a crucial role in posting a large total. Lucknow Super Giants, while chasing, collapsed except for two essential knocks coming from Deepak Hooda (42) and KL Rahul (30). The collapse owed to Josh Hazelwood, who returned with figures of 4/25 in four overs.

LSG has won 9 out of 14 matches but takes the third spot due to a lower net run rate than Rajasthan Royals. They have made it to the eliminator owing to the onus performance by their openers, forging a 210-run stand against KKR in the previous match and winning it by two runs. RCB, on the other hand, has been riding their luck through the group stage to playoffs. In 2021, they lost the eliminator against KKR to bow out of the tournament and will be dreading over if history repeats itself. Mumbai Indian's match-winning knock against Delhi Capitals in the final league game cleared a passage for them to the playoffs. 

Predicted Playing XI

Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock (wk), KL Rahul (c), Evin Lewis, Deepak Hooda, Manan Vohra, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Krunal Pandya, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik(w), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood

Match Prediction

Royal Challengers Bangalore looks more favourite to win the eliminator by looking at the team's strengths. They have more experienced players to take them over the line. Right from Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli at the top, Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell in the middle, and Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed in the middle-lower order make their batting line-up extremely tough. Having bowlers like Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Siraj, and Josh Hazlewood makes their bowling unit strong enough for LSG batters.

It's the second clash between the two teams. Both the teams will aim to win this match and carry forward their IPL campaign in full swing to the Qualifier round at Ahmedabad.