Gorakhpur Lions vs Kashi Rudras Prediction: Who Will Win 2nd T20 UPTL Match on 18th August 2025?
The Gorakhpur Lions vs Kashi Rudras prediction for the 2nd T20 of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League 2025 promises to be a thrilling contest. Scheduled for Monday, 18th August 2025 at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, this clash will see two competitive sides battling for crucial early momentum in the league. Kashi Rudras, who reached the Eliminator last season, will be eager to go one step further this year. On the other hand, Gorakhpur Lions, who missed out on the playoffs last edition, have strengthened their squad and will be determined to begin with a victory. Cricketwebs provides 100% match prediction tips for every cricket match, and here’s our detailed preview.
Match Details
| Match | Gorakhpur Lions vs Kashi Rudras, 2nd T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, 18th August 2025 |
| Time | 3:30 PM |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
Team Previews
Kashi Rudras Preview
Kashi Rudras enter this season with renewed confidence after finishing as Eliminator contenders last year. Their batting will heavily rely on Karan Sharma, who was their top scorer in the previous edition with 194 runs. His ability to control the innings and accelerate when needed makes him indispensable at the top. Alongside him, Abhishek Goswami and Shubham Chaubey are expected to bring stability to the order.
Their bowling strength lies in Sunil Kumar, who picked up 19 wickets last season and will once again be their strike weapon. Supporting him will be Shivam Mavi, who adds pace and death bowling experience. The Rudras’ strategy will revolve around early wickets and restricting opposition in the powerplay.
However, their inconsistency in middle overs and over-dependence on a few key names could hurt them against stronger batting line-ups. The team will need contributions from Upendra Yadav and Shiva Singh to perform as a complete unit.
Gorakhpur Lions Preview
The Gorakhpur Lions had a forgettable season last year, finishing 5th on the table. This time, however, they look far more balanced. Their batting has depth, led by Akshdeep Nath, who scored 289 runs last edition. Dhruv Jurel and Aryan Juyal are promising wicketkeeper-batters who bring both stability and firepower in the middle order.
Bowling is their stronger suit, with Ankit Rajpoot (15 wickets last season) and Yash Dayal, a seasoned new-ball bowler, forming a lethal pace combination. Their ability to strike early and control the powerplay overs gives Lions a significant edge. In addition, spinners like Shivam Sharma will play a crucial role in Lucknow’s conditions, which tend to support slow bowlers.
The Lions’ biggest improvement lies in their balance – unlike last season, they now have multiple match-winners across departments. If they click together, they can dominate the competition.
Squads
Kashi Rudras Squad
Abhishek Goswami, Aranav Baliyan, Shubham Chaubey, Sudhanshu Sonkar, Uvais Ahmad, Yashovardhan Singh, Amar Chaudhary, Karan Sharma, Rishabh Rajput, Saksham Rai, Upendra Yadav (wk), Atal Bihari Rai, Bhavy Goyal, Deepanshu Yadav, Harsh Payal, Shiva Singh, Shivam Mavi, Sunil Kumar
Gorakhpur Lions Squad
Almas Shaukat, Anchit Yadav, Nishant Kushwah, Siddharth Yadav, Vijay Yadav, Akshdeep Nath, Prince Yadav, Shivam Sharma, Aryan Juyal (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Hardeep Singh (wk), Abdul Rehman, Ankit Chaudhary, Kunal Yadav, Purnank Tyagi, Rohit Dwivedi, Vishal Nishad, Yash Dayal
Probable Playing XI
Kashi Rudras: Abhishek Goswami, Karan Sharma, Shubham Chaubey, Amar Chaudhary, Upendra Yadav (wk), Rishabh Rajput, Shivam Mavi, Sunil Kumar, Shiva Singh, James Majid, Saksham Rai
Gorakhpur Lions: Akshdeep Nath, Almas Shaukat, Aryan Juyal (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Vijay Yadav, Anchit Yadav, Shivam Sharma, Ankit Rajpoot, Yash Dayal, Rohit Dwivedi, Kunal Yadav
Fantasy Team XI
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicket-Keepers | Aryan Juyal, Dhruv Jurel, Upendra Yadav |
| Batters | Akshdeep Nath, Karan Sharma, Abhishek Goswami |
| All-Rounders | Amar Chaudhary, Shivam Mavi |
| Bowlers | Sunil Kumar, Ankit Rajpoot, Yash Dayal |
Fantasy Analysis:
- Captain Picks: Akshdeep Nath (consistent run-scorer), Sunil Kumar (wicket-taking bowler).
- Vice-Captain Picks: Dhruv Jurel (impact player in middle order), Karan Sharma (dependable top-order batter).
- Players to Avoid: Aranav Baliyan (inexperienced at this level), Rohit Dwivedi (inconsistent performer).
Favourite Team Today
The Gorakhpur Lions enter this clash as favourites due to their superior balance and in-form players. Their batting lineup, led by Akshdeep Nath, has both experience and explosiveness, while the presence of Dhruv Jurel and Aryan Juyal provides stability in the middle order. The Lions also have a formidable bowling attack, with Yash Dayal and Ankit Rajpoot capable of dismantling any top order in the league. In contrast, Kashi Rudras are overly reliant on Karan Sharma and Sunil Kumar, making them vulnerable if either fails. The Lions’ depth in both batting and bowling, combined with their improved squad from last season, gives them a clear advantage. With conditions in Lucknow likely to favour bowlers, Gorakhpur’s stronger bowling attack could be the decisive factor.
Pitch Report
The Lucknow pitch is known for being balanced. Early movement helps pacers, but as the game progresses, spinners come into play. Scores around 150-160 are par here.
Weather Report
Clear skies are expected with no rain interruptions. Temperature around 30°C with moderate humidity.
Broadcast Details
Live Streaming: Fancode
Score Prediction
- If Gorakhpur Lions Bat First: 146+
- If Kashi Rudras Bat First: 152+
Toss Prediction
Winner of the toss: Kashi Rudras (likely to bat first).
Match Prediction
Our Winner: Gorakhpur Lions Will Win
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
Disclaimer: Predictions are for entertainment purposes only. We don’t get involved in or promote betting or gambling. Also, We strongly discourage behaviors of participating in illegal activities related to cricket. Our experts try to be as correct as possible, but we do not guarantee 100% correctness.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricketwebs on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
