KL Rahul has been known to fumble or choke at the end. He has been able to close some low scoring matches Internationally. But for LSG in IPL 2023, their captain KL Rahul became the biggest underperformer in this match. He tried to take the chase deep in a low scoring chase. KL Rahul got out in the last over when his team needed 10 runs to win. LSG should have won the match but GT pulled off a rabbit under the hat.
GT won the toss and elected to bat first. Lucknow pitch looked very tough to bat as it is slow. KL Rahul tried to use his bowlers very carefully. Shubman Gill failed in this match. Wriddhiman Saha and Hardik Pandya scored 68 runs in partnership. As Hardik Pandya understood pitch is not conducive for new batsmen to hit, he batted throughout the innings. Wriddhiman Saha(47) and Hardik Pandya(66) scored 135/6 in 20 overs. Marcus Stoinis(2/20), Krunal Pandya(2/16), Amit Mishra(1/9) and Naveen-ul-Haq(1/19) controlled GT innings for LSG. KL Rahul tried to correct his mistake and gave Ravi Bishnoi full 4 overs. He gave away 49 runs.
LSG started off with a maiden again. KL Rahul seems to have made it a habit to play 19 overs match in 20 overs. He once again let first over go as a maiden. Rashid Khan(1/33) did not bowl at his best in the match. Still, GT found Noor Ahmad(2/18), Mohammed Shami controlling LSG. The main hero for GT is Mohit Sharma and he made a strong comeback. In the last overs he controlled LSG innings and took 2/17. KL Rahul also helped GT by playing an innings leading into their comfort zone.
He got settled and scored a half-century in 38 balls. Still, KL Rahul ended up with 68 runs from 61 balls. Kyle Mayers(24) and Krunal Pandya(23) tried their best. LSG needed 31 off 30 balls and they ended losing by 7 runs. LSG scored 128/7 in 20 overs. KL Rahul has been facing trolls for his lack of confidence and this innings cemented his problem further. He needs to work on his mental strength for him to continue to serve Indian Team. Mohit Sharma got Player of The Match Award.
CSK slams SRH in a low scoring game!