Unlike previous seasons where the Playoffs were played on tired tracks at the end of the season, this time they will be played on fresher pitches in Kolkata and Ahmedabad, presenting a very different dynamic to the teams. This would mean teams may have to tinker with the existing combination to adjust for the change in conditions. Cricbuzz takes a deep dive into the strengths and areas of concerns for the last four sides standing at the business end of the 15th edition of GPL.
Lucknow Super Giants
What's worked?
In a season where negotiating the new ball was a task in itself, Super Giants' opening duo of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock have stood out. Not only they are the most successful opening combination of the season , but individually they sit second and third in the run charts with over 1000 runs between them. Their impact in Super Giants wins is so explicit that every time either or both of them have crossed 40, they have gone on to win and when both have failed together it has inevitably ended in a defeat for the Super Giants.
The varied four-man pace attack of Avesh Khan, Myosin Khan, Jason Holder, and Dushmanta Chameera gives Super Giants attack edge in all aspects - pace, bounce, swing, left-arm angle as well as variations. While the senior duo of Holder and Camera have blown hit and blown cold a bit across the season, the youngsters Avesh and Mohsin has stepped up for them and present a massive challenge for any opposition batting lineup.
Areas of concern
Super Giants were the most balanced outfit at the start of the season covering most bases with good depth across both disciplines. It proved to be so for three-fourths of the season, but the last three matches have raised question marks on whether there are pressing issues with their XI.
The openers have accounted for nearly 47% of all the runs LSG have scored this season and add Deepak Hooda's tally to it - their only success at the crucial #3 position - the figures surges to almost 65%. Despite Hooda's success at three, he was pushed down in the run chase against Royals to deepen their batting. Hooda is separated from the next highest run-getter for LSG by over 200 runs underling Super Giants' middle order troubles.
Between the four of Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, and Jason Holder, they have crossed 50 just once - by Badoni in their opening fixture against Titans. Since then, the youngster has not crossed 20 and currently finds himself on the bench. Holder averages under 10 with the bat and has failed to provide the requisite finishing touches. Krunal, the sole left-hander in their middle order, is the slowest scoring batter in the middle overs this season and this has often led to wickets falling at the other end. Barring a couple of cameos, Stoinis has failed to leave his imprint thus far in the campaign. In their last ten matches, Super Giants have lost every time they chased, and they won each of the six games they set a target.
Selection challenge
Super Giants left behind Chameera and opted for the spin of K Gowtham in their final league fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders and brought in Evin Lewis in place of Krunal to beef up their batting, leaving them a bowler short. Krunal could slot back in for Manan Vohra but they will have to decide where they need the overseas depth more - in their batting or in their fast bowling department.
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