Lucknow Super Giants v Chennai Super Kings IPL Tips: Another low-scoring thriller likely

• KL Rahul an injury doubt

• Runs in short supply

• Rayudu and Jadeja to shine

Lucknow Super Giants v Chennai Super Kings
Wednesday May 3, 11:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Team news

Lucknow have injury problems with KL Rahul and Jaydev Unadkat both major doubts. KL Rahul's absence as skip will be keenly felt. The team very much fits to his batting style - like it or not - by going with high-quality bowling so there is some adjustment to be made.

Possible replacements as opener include Ayush Badoni or Manan Vohra. One of those is likely to bat at No 3. Marcus Stoinis could also be promoted. One option is to drop Naveen-ul-Haq play Romario Shepherd as an extra finisher with Avesh Khan returning as pacer

Possible XII: Mayers, Badoni, Vohra, Hooda, Stoinis, Pooran, Krunal, Gowtham, Bishnoi, Mishra, Naveen, Thakur

Chennai are smarting following a home loss to Punjab. It's now two defeats on the spin. Tushar Deshpande has to take responsibility for some of the worst death bowling seen in recent memory.

And that's a competitive field. As a result Sisanda Magala may be in line to replace Moeen Ali with Deshpande axed. Magala could take on death duty. Akash Singh could start regardless as a pacer with Simarjeet Singh added as an extra option from the bench. Deepak Chahar would be an automatic choice if fit, though.

Possible XII: Gaikwad, Conway, Rahane, Rayudu, Dube, Jadeja, Dhoni, Pathirana, Magala, Theekshana, Akash

Pitch report

The Lucknow surface was a slow and sticky one last time out. Bangalore somehow defended 126.

The previous scores in the tournament read (most recenbt first, 1-2 denote match won by team batting first or second): 135-1/159-2/121-2/193-1. With spin doing the squeeze Chennai should feel right at home. Lucknow are well-stocked in that regard, too. Playing under in the low 160s is solid.

How to play

The 1.845/6 about Super Kings feels about right given Lucknow's defeat to RCB and the loss of Rahul. But the toss is key for traders.

Lucknow are far from a lost cause on the trade at 2.1211/10 bowling first. They can squeeze as they did to RCB with Ravi Bishnoi, Amit Mishra and Krunal Pandya offering 12 overs of economy. Don't be surprised if they trade skinny favs again.

Tops value

Kyle Mayers is chunky at 16/5 for Lucknow top bat as an opener. The key is whether CSK hit him with spin because of his dreadful record. They didn't last time and he smashed them. Quinton de Kock is boosted to 11/4 but we're not sure how he gets into the team.

For top Chennai bat we like Ambati Rayudu at a whopping 16s. Twenty or 30 could well win this. The issue with him is that he is a probable sub. Remember your selection must be in the starting XI otherwise it's bets void.

With spin key we note the 12/1 about Ravi Jadeja winning the man of the match. Sportsbook also go 9/4 about no fifty in first-innings and that could be a strong option.