Aiden Markram carries Lucknow’s hopes as they face Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with the visitors needing a stronger batting return on a high-scoring surface.
Markram links a top order that has shown promise but not always converted starts into match-winning totals. Lucknow’s campaign has been uneven, with their latest defeat to Gujarat exposing limitations in the middle order after posting 164.
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Bengaluru arrive in stronger shape, having won three of four matches, including a high-scoring win over Mumbai where they posted 240. Their top order has delivered consistently, placing pressure on opposing attacks from the outset.
The Chinnaswamy surface is expected to favour batting, with short boundaries and high scoring rates a consistent feature.
Lucknow require a more complete performance, and Markram’s role through the middle phase will be important if they are to keep pace with Bengaluru’s scoring.
Photo:Cricket – REUTERS/Amit Dave
