IPL 16 : Lucknow Super Giants ( LSG ) vs Punjab Kings – Match 21 : Lucknow
Kings On The Backfoot
The Lucknow Super Giants were on a high after a nail biting last ball victory against RCB a few nights ago. The Nawabs of Lucknow had chased down a mammoth 212 to record an emphatic victory, while the Punjab Kings had suffered two losses before they landed in Lucknow. To add to their problems, their inspirational captain and batting mainstay Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out due to a shoulder injury. The Kings had to win this contest to stay with the pack at the top, but dislodging the Giants on their home ground was no child’s play.
A Very Circumspect LSG
The Kings led by Sam Curran, called the toss correctly and this was the beginning of all good things which began to unfold for the Kings. An extremely circumspect LSG virtually crawled in their innings once they lost Kyle Mayers. Deepak Hooda’s unabated horrid run of form and a cagey batting display made sure that unless Pooran and Stoinis fire again, LSG was not getting any close to a good total. KL Rahul, though eventually came good, got out at the wrong time. Pooran went for a duck and Stoinis too could not provide the final touches in the end.
Some Catching This
On the other hand the Kings bowled well ( aided by a very sedate LSG batting and a slightly tricky pitch ) and took some brilliant catches, particularly the three held by Shahrukh Khan right at the boundary ropes. They were tough ones to catch, but he did it with great precision. The LSG batting somehow managed to set a 160 runs target eventually. Though the pitch was not that easy to bat, scores of 160 or thereabouts these days are chased down without much fanfare, whatever the pitch may look like.
Determined Kings Hunt It Down
Though LSG started well with the ball getting two early wickets, Mathew Short made a quickfire 34 which set the Kings on their way. The Nawabs fought well, but Sikandar Raza struck a half century at a crucial time, to get the Kings closer to victory. Shahrukh Khan, a big hitter in his own right, finished off the innings and secured 2 valuable points for the Kings. Credit to LSG bowlers who took the game deep, though I was surprised at the introduction of Ravi Bishnoi( LSG’s best bowler ) so late in the innings. He came to bowl in the 15th over and could not complete his full quota. I am clueless.
The Punjab Kings gave a more resolute and determined account of themselves, while the Lucknow Super Giants looked jaded, as if still recovering from the pulsating encounter in Bengaluru. They let their guard down so to say and were punished by the Kings. Unfortunately for the LSG fan like me, the Nawabs were simply outwitted. A lesson learnt indeed. I am sure this loss should get LSG on their toes again. It should spur them on.
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Featured Image : Sikandar Raza, Player of the Match
Riz khan s title is so apt.The game has been described interestingly.
Thank you for your appreciation