2nd April IPL Picks: RCB vs LSG
It’s been a busy week for RCB, who play their fourth game in just over a weel, finding themselves under a fair bit of pressure having lost their last two. Another home defeat makes playoff qualification unlikely, so a response is needed.
Pick 1: Naveen-ul-Haq 2+ Wickets (2.75, bet365)
It’s a return to Bengaluru for four LSG players; KL Rahul, De Kock, Padikkal and Pooran – returning players have a knack of putting up notable scores when returning to the Chinnaswamy. But the focus for me is on Naveen-ul-Haq.
The Afghanistan quick bowler is into his second season in the IPL, looking to build on his wickets tally of 11 last season, at a respectable average of 19.9.
Having played the last two games at the Chinnaswamy, there is enough data to suggest that the track is slower than least season, and very two-paced.
We saw against KKR, batsmen really struggled with pace-off deliveries and variations. Short balls were dispatched to the boundary, and spinners struggled too with the short boundaries.
Russell bagged himself two wickets with a lot of slower balls towards the end of the innings. In the game prior, Rabada also picked up two wickets doing the same thing.
Naveen is the best suited to the aforementioned conditions, in my opinion. He has a multitude of variations, slower balls, cutters which can really cause problems on this track. LSG have used exactly six bowlers in both games so far this season, and Naveen has bowled all four overs in both, which is a good sign.
He is also the bowler that is attacked. Bishnoi and Krunal have been incredibly economical, so Naveen has a relatively high economy rate so far this season, which is not a bad thing for backing wickets. Ideally, having batsmen attack him maximises the chance of taking a wicket, especially if he’s bowling towards the end of an innings.
Naveen so far this season:
- 2-41 (4 overs) vs RR
- 0-43 (4 overs) vs PBKS
He’s draws a nice matchup against a floundering RCB side, with pitch conditions suited to his skillset.
Pick 1: Naveen-ul-Haq 2+ Wickets (2.75, bet365)
