The most excited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will kick off on March 31 in Ahmedabad, defending champions Gujarat Titans taking on four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will lock horns with Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 1 in Lucknow and then travel to Chennai on April 3 for their next match against CSK.

Team South Africa is scheduled to play two ICC ODI World Cup qualifier matches against the Netherlands on March 31 and April 2. So, none of the South African players will be available for their respective IPL sides in the first couple of matches. In the absence of Quinton de Kock who recently smashed a superb century against West Indies in T20I, Kyle Mayers is likely to open the innings with skipper KL Rahul.

LSG team management feels Mayers is the best option at the top as he is a left-handed batter to provide the right combination and also has a good strike rate of 135 in T20Is. Recently, the West Indian smashed a brilliant half-century in just 27 balls. Mayers can also contribute in the bowling with his medium pace. So, Mayers is favorite to partner KL Rahul in first two matches.

Reports also suggest that if LSG likes to beef up their middle-order or bowling unit with overseas players, then there is a chance for Indian batter Deepak Hooda to face the new ball alongside Rahul. Hooda has already scored a century in T20I and proved that he is lethal power-hitter in the powerplay overs. LSG’s first game opponents DC is likely to miss the services of South African pacers Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi.