IPL 2022 Highlights, LSG vs RCB Eliminator: Bangalore beat Lucknow by 14 runs, to meet Rajasthan in Qualifier 2

RCB's formidable batting trio of Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell showed glimpses of its brutal best in its last win against Gujarat Titans. The LSG, meanwhile, ride high on their quality bowling lineup that includes the likes of Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Jason Holder, and Ravi Bishnoi among others.

Thanks to his incredible power-hitting (strike rate of over 190), Karthik was called up to the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.

“Very happy, very, very satisfying. (I) must say that this has been probably my most special comeback, because a lot of people had given up on me," Karthik had said in a video posted by RCB after the call-up.

Glenn Maxwell had remained unbeaten on 40 off just 18 balls in the game against Gujarat Titans in RCB's last league game of the season. He smashed five fours and two sixes, batting at a strike rate of 222.22. Time to ban upon the momentum!

Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan are the two Indian pacers who together operate at an economy rate of 7.49; the best among all the Indian pacers in IPL 2022.

The winner of the match between LSG and RCB will meet the Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2022 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The loser will be knocked out of the season.

With dew factor coming into play due to rains, it is likely that the captain winning the toss will opt to bowl first.

Faf du Plessis has been dismissed on five occasions from left-armers in IPL 2022, which is the second-highest (after Ruturaj Gaikwad - 6 times). Additionally, Virat Kohli has been dismissed twice so far by left-armers and has a strike rate of 104.92.

Mohsin has picked 12 wickets while defending the total in this year, which is joint-fourth highest on the list of most wickets in 2nd innings of the match in IPL 2022.

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Josh Hazlewood, Siddarth Kaul, Mohammed Siraj.

Quinton de Kock (wk), KL Rahul (c), Evin Lewis, Deepak Hooda, Manan Vohra, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Krunal Pandya, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi

Humidity levels are expected to be high due to recent rainfall in Kolkata. Hence, dew can play a massive role throughout the second phase of the game. No points for guessing what a captain must do if they win the toss!

LSG went into the game with two leading spinners in Krishnappa Gowtham and Ravi Bishnoi in their game against KKR. The duo had picked a wicket each; however, focus will be on the duo against RCB as the side's record against spinners hasn't been impressive throughout the season.

RCB have the worst economy rate among Indian pacers (9.16) in IPL 2022 so far. In fact, Harshal Patel is the only bowler who has bowled at an economy rate of less than 8 among Indians.

“I have worked really hard. I batted 90 minutes in the nets yesterday. I came in very free and relaxed. It is in that spur of the moment why is it happening to me. It goes back to 2018 in England when I was dropped on 21 and the juggernaut could have started again like it did on the 2014 tour.”

Faf du Plessis(c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik(w), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Siddarth Kaul, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Karn Sharma, David Willey, Jason Behrendorff, Chama V Milind, Finn Allen, Suyash Prabhudessai, Anuj Rawat, Sherfane Rutherford, Aneeshwar Gautam

Quinton de Kock(w), KL Rahul(c), Evin Lewis, Deepak Hooda, Manan Vohra, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Krishnappa Gowtham, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Nadeem, Dushmantha Chameera, Kyle Mayers, Ankit Rajpoot, Andrew Tye, Karan Sharma, Mayank Yadav

RCB have a poor record against spin this year, averaging only 22.82 at a run rate of 7.49. KL Rahul, thus, will rely on his frontline spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Krishnappa Gowtham, as well as Krunal Pandya to provide the side with breakthroughs.

RCB's record in Kolkata would cause a bit of worry in the camp. In 10 matches at the Eden Gardens. Bangalore have won only six games, which is the joint-lowest win percentage for the franchise at the venue. (min. 10 matches)

In their last league game of the season, Siddarth Kaul had replaced Mohammed Siraj, following the latter's expensive economy rates over the past few games. However, Kaul failed to impress as he registered figures of 0/43 in four overs. Will Siraj make a return to XI in the eliminator tonight?

At an economy rate of 7.68, Harshal Patel has taken 18 wickets in 13 matches for the RCB so far. In the game against GT, Harshal had split his webbing on the right hand.

“Harshal Patel has done what we know he can do. He creates pressure and takes wickets. He loves the death overs. Not many people put their hands up and say I want to do that job,” Mike Hesson said about Harshal in a video posted by RCB earlier this week.

In six matches against RCB since 2019, Quinton de Kock has scored only 122 runs with a poor strike rate of 113. Time to end the disappointing run tonight?

If the Sri Lankan spinner plays tonight, it would be his 100th T20 appearance.

This has been the year of Dinesh Karthik's resurgence. Karthik emerged as one of the best finishers in IPL 2022, as he scored 287 runs in 14 innings with an incredible strike rate of 191.33. His brilliant performances earned Karthik an India call-up after 3 years.

Jos Buttler has scored 718 runs in IPL 2022 so far, and will appear in at least one more game this season. KL Rahul (537 runs) could inch closer to Buttler tonight, and could further go near the English batter if the Super Giants beat Royal Challengers Bangalore tonight.