The Kolkata team will take on the Lucknow team in the 68th match of the Indian Playerzpot League 2023 at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on 20th May, Saturday. Kolkata are having a mediocre campaign, while Lucknow are having a great outing this season thus far. Kolkata registered six wins and seven losses and are currently at the seventh spot with 12 points after 13 games. N Rana-led side is still in contention for the playoffs. Lucknow, on the other hand, have almost booked their spot for the knockout with seven wins and five losses and are at the third spot with 14 points after 13 games. Kolkata’s latest result was a six-wicket win against Chennai and Lucknow defeated Mumbai by five runs in the previous match.
Kolkata and Lucknow will lock horns with each other for the first time in the ongoing season of the Indian Playerzpot League. Both sides have met twice in the tournament, with Lucknow winning on both occasions last year. In the upcoming match, Kolkata will look to keep their playoffs alive while Lucknow will eye to qualify for playoffs officially.
Players to watch out for
#1 R Singh (Kolkata): R Singh has been one of the pillars of Kolkata’s batting line-up in the ongoing season of the Indian Playerzpot League. R Singh is considered an asset for the team due to his ability to turn the game on its head. In the previous match against Chennai, R Singh scored 54 off 43 at a strike rate of 129.55 and formed a crucial 99-run partnership with N Rana (57* off 44 balls) for the fourth wicket to help the team to achieve the target. This season, R Singh has scored 407 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 50.88 and a strike rate of 143.31 in 13 matches. R Singh’s best performance was against Gujarat when he smashed five sixes to pull off the chase in the final over. R Singh is often considered a clutch player who can pull the team out of the clutches of defeat. Lucknow bowling line-up will have a task cut out to stop R Singh from scoring runs.
#2 M Stoinis (Lucknow): M Stoinis has often received criticism for being inconsistent but he has been one of those players in Lucknow who stepped up when the team was in trouble. In the previous match against Mumbai, Stoinis played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 89 off 47 balls at a strike rate of 189.36 to help the team post a good total of 177/3. His effort paid off when Lucknow defended the total against Mumbai. This season, the 33-year-old has scored 368 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 33.45 and a strike rate of 151.44 in 13 matches so far. M Stoinis is an attacking batter who can put pressure on the opposition bowlers by unleashing his firepower in the middle overs as well as at death. He is one of the impactful players for Lucknow this season.
#3 V Chakravarthy (Kolkata): V Chakravarthy is one of the most improved players from the previous season of the tournament. The 32-year-old has repaid the faith shown in him by Lucknow team management by performing well in the ongoing season of the Indian Playerzpot League. In the previous match against Chennai, Chakravarthy scalped two wickets while conceding 36 runs at an economy rate of 9 in four overs. V Chakravarthy is currently the fifth leading wicket-taker of the season, scalping 19 wickets, including a four-wicket haul, at an average of 20.57 and an economy rate of 8.03 in 13 matches. V Chakravarthy’s mysterious spin bowling has been a potent threat to the opposition’s batting line-up. Since Chakravathy is the lead bowler for Kolkata, the team will expect to perform well in the upcoming match against Lucknow.
#4 M Khan (Lucknow): M Khan was sidelined in the initial phase of the tournament due to injury but his return to the Lucknow side has further strengthened the team’s bowling attack. In the previous match against Mumbai, M Khan scalped one wicket while conceding 26 runs at an economy rate of 8.70 in three overs. He managed to defend 11 runs in the final over of Mumbai’s run-chase by conceding just 5 runs. M Khan played a very instrumental role in helping Lucknow reach playoffs in their debut season last year. Hadn’t he been sidelined for the majority of the matches, M Khan wouldn’t have been among the wicket-takers this season. Khan will look to come up with goods in Lucknow’s final stage match against Kolkata.
Predicted Playing XI
Kolkata: J Roy, R Gurbaz [WK], N Rana [C], V Iyer, A Russel, R Singh, S Narine, S Thakur, V Arora, S Sharma, V Chakravarthy
Lucknow: Q de Kock [WK], K Mayers, P Mankad, K Pandya [C], M Stoinis, N Pooran, A Badoni, N ul Haq, R Bishnoi, M Khan, Y Thakur,
Top Picks for Fantasy Playing XI
Wicketkeeper: Q de Kock
Batsmen: J Roy, K Mayers, N Rana, M Stoinis, N Pooran,
All-rounders: K Pandya,
Bowlers: M Khan, V Chakravarthy, Y Thakur, R Bishnoi,
Why Play Fantasy Cricket Games on Playerzpot?
Playerzpot has been offering the best fantasy cricket experience to cricket enthusiasts over the years and this year is no different. Playing on Playerzpot, you are assured of prizes and bonuses that come along with the fun of making your own dream team. The Celebration Ka Season has started on Playerzpot which brings you the best offers and winnings one can have playing online fantasy cricket games.
The Mega Deposit Leaderboard will see you get great returns as cashback and moreover, you will get a real shot at winning an SUV, BMW Bike, iPad, Laptops, Mobile, and more. You can also join the free pot where the winnings are as high as Rs 10 lakhs. You can also try your hand at the no-commission pots that are made available frequently. Last but not least, you can get an instant 2% instant balance on referring your friends. With total winnings of up to Rs 2 crore on Playerzpot Leader Boards you surely cannot miss out on the cricketing action this summer. Join the celebration today and play fantasy cricket games on Playerzpot.
