“If they play up to their potential, they should score 200 runs every game”

Aakash Chopra believes Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) should consistently post massive totals in IPL 2023 if they tap into their potential.

LSG will begin their campaign in the current edition of the Indian Premier League with a clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Lucknow on Saturday, April 1. KL Rahul and Co. they made the playoffs in their first season last year and hope to go all the way this time around.

While watching the LSG-DC clash in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that Lucknow Super Giants have a great batting line-up, elaborating:

“If they play up to their potential, they should score 200 runs in every game. Quinton de Kock is not available for the first match, so Kyle Mayers might be seen opening with KL Rahul. Then Deepak Hooda at No.3, you can keep Ayush Badoni at number 4, Nicholas Pooran at number 5, Marcus Stoinis at number 6 and Krunal Pandya at number 7.”

While admitting that Mohsin Khan’s absence is a big blow for LSG, the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player pointed out that the franchise still has four excellent bowlers, noting:

“There are little bowling issues and that’s only because you don’t have Mohsin Khan. How can that issue be resolved? You have Ravi Bishnoi and Mark Wood is available. So you have these two pistol bowlers. They have Jaydev Unadkat and Avesh Khan as well.”

Chopra feels that Krunal Pandya could be the fifth bowler and Marcus Stoinis has also bowled a few overs. He added that Amit Mishra could be brought in as an Impact Player.

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“There are problems with Delhi” – Aakash Chopra on Delhi Capitals’ problems ahead of clash with LSG

Speaking about the Delhi Capitals, Aakash Chopra highlighted Rishabh Pant’s absence as one of the biggest problems for the franchise, stating:

“There are issues with Delhi. Rishabh Pant is not there. They have kept Abhishek Porel in place of him, but will he play? Sarfaraz Khan might stay and we also hear they might get Manish Pandey to keep.”

While noting that David Warner is also not yet a surefire starter, the cricketer-turned-commentator feels that DC can field Phil Salt in the playing XI if their newly appointed captain is unavailable, saying:

“Warner’s availability is also not certain. Mitchell Marsh at No. 3 – if Warner is not there, he can open. You can also play Phil Salt if there is a place at the top because he can also keep wickets. They can play three overseas batsmen, with Rilee Rossouw and Rovman Powell as an option.”

Chopra thinks Rovman Powell could play a bigger role for the Capitals, reasoning that they have a top hitting lineup. While admitting that DC have a decent bowling line-up, the former Indian opener concluded by opining that LSG are the stronger side on paper.