Former Australian skipper Aaron Finch has named the X factor for the Lucknow Super Giants for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. He feels that Indian all-rounder Deepak Hooda will play a vital role for the team as he bats aggressively and can take the game away from the opposition.
Aaron Finch names Deepak Hooda as the X-factor for Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2023
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 is just a few days away from now. The league will start from the 31st March with a blockbuster clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. The final is slated to take place on 28th May and it’ll be an enthralling season to watch.
Looking into the Lucknow Super Giants, the KL Rahul-led side will open their campaign against Delhi Capitals on 1st April at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. They had a staggering campaign last year as they qualified for the playoffs after winning 9 out of 14 league matches but lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator.
It was a collective team effort from their end as almost every player contributed in some capacity and helped the team win the game. But it’s fair to say that Deepak Hooda was their MVP last season and it is expected that he will continue the same role this season.
The all-rounder had his best season in 2022 as he scored 451 runs in the 15 games last season to go with 4 fifties. He also batted with a strike rate of over 136. Apart from this he also chipped in with the ball and also took 1 wicket in the 4 overs he bowled in the league last season.
The big strength of the Lucknow Supergiants is their opening combination – #KLRahul and Quinton de Kock. They complement each other so well.Deepak Hooda X-factor of Lucknow Super Giants: "
– Aaron Finch#LSG #LSGTV pic.twitter.com/MB4yzSX562Advertisement— KL Siku Kumar (@KL_Siku_Kumar) March 28, 2023
With just a few days remaining for the season, Aaron Finch has picked Deepak Hooda as the X factor for LSG. He feels that the batter has taken the responsibility of batting at number 3 and can bat for longer periods while being aggressive. While speaking on Know Your Team’ show on Star Sports, he said:
“The X-factor for me this season for Lucknow I see is Deepak Hooda. He’s someone who has taken the responsibility of batting at number 3. He’s someone who strikes at a good strike rate, particularly in the first 10 balls. He continues to keep being aggressive. If he can bat for longer periods while being aggressive, that will set up that middle and lower order to be at their destructive best.”
Deepak Hooda of Lucknow Super Giants pic.twitter.com/4lZZFKAlTj
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) March 25, 2023
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“Nicholas Pooran will be a player to watch out for,” says Aaron Finch
LSG acquired Nicholas Pooran at the IPL 2023 auction for INR 16 crores. He was part for the SRH setup last season and was decent with the bat as he scored 306 runs in the 14 games last season. Aaron Finch feels that the keeper batter will be the player to watch out for. He added:
“They’ve spent a lot of money to get him in the auction. He wasn’t at his best last season, but we know how destructive he can be. He’s someone who strikes it at such a high strike rate, particularly early in his innings. So, for me, he is the player to watch out for.”
LSG would be hoping to turn things around this time and go a few steps ahead of the last season. It remains to be seen how will the team go this season under the leadership of KL Rahul.
