Lucknow Super Giants will look to return to winning ways when they host Mumbai Indians at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
LSG’s first home game of the season didn’t go as planned. The pitch didn’t behave the way they would’ve liked, and they were convincingly outplayed by the Punjab Kings. Historically, their home record hasn’t been great, and they’ll be eager to turn that around this season.
Facing them is a buoyant Mumbai Indians side, brimming with confidence after a dominant win over Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the challenge for MI will be to quickly adjust to the conditions in Lucknow — the pitch and boundary dimensions here are a far cry from what they encountered in Mumbai. For LSG too, reading the surface right will be important in order to gain an edge.
Pitch Report:
The previous match at this venue was played on a red-soil surface, but this time, the action will unfold on a black-soil pitch. With one side featuring a shorter boundary, and limited bounce expected, spinners are likely to play a major role. Dew is not expected to be a factor.
Weather forecast:
The weather in Lucknow is set to remain clear during the IPL clash between LSG and MI on April 4, with no rain in the forecast. Temperatures are expected to range between 22°C and 38°C.
Head-to-Head:
This has been a lopsided rivalry so far, with Lucknow Super Giants winning five of the six encounters against Mumbai Indians. The last time these two sides met in Lucknow, LSG edged MI in a final-over thriller.
Match Prediction:
The pitch will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. If it offers turn, LSG will hold the edge with their strong spin attack. But if conditions favour the batters, MI’s firepower could make them the favourites.