Sunday’s first match promises to be a real humdinger as two teams that threaten to unseat the very best on their days, clash against each other. Rajasthan Royals will host Lucknow Super Giants and would think of themselves as the favourites owing to their superior head-to-head record and on account of playing in their backyard.
The two teams have met thrice in the IPL so far in which RR have won twice while the Super Giants have once come on the top. However, Lucknow would take comfort from the fact that their only win had come at Jaipur in 2023.
The pitch at SMS Stadium gives equal opportunity to both batters and bowlers, however it tends to be on the slower side and spinners would come into play.
Win the toss, bowl first!
The toss at the ground is crucial as the results are heavily skewed in favour of fielding first. Of the 52 IPL games played at this ground since 2008, only 18 have been won by team that has batted first while 34 times teams bowling first have tasted success. The average score batting first here is 159 runs and the average run per wicket is 27.49. With such a record team winning the toss would like to field first. Going by the early trends in the IPL this season, so far teams winning the toss have largely decided to field first. Rajasthan Royals would like to be extra cautious at the venue as they may well remember getting bundled out for mere 59 runs against RCB last year.
However, when one looks at the toss records and compare the results, it presents a more balanced picture – 27 times teams winning the toss have won the match while 25 times teams losing the toss have won the match. This may also mean that teams have not considered the bowl first and win record as seriously as it deserves. This may well change this season and we may see more bowling first choices if the pitch and ground conditions remain similar to previous years.
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