Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar hailed Krunal Pandya as the terrific reader of the game after LSG’s five-run win against Mumbai Indians at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Tuesday night. Pandya scored a crucial knock of 49 runs off 42 balls before he decided to retire hurt as he was struggling with cramps.
In fact, LSG was struggling at 35-3 after 6.1 but Pandya added a crucial alliance of 82 runs with Marcus Stoinis, which is the highest at Lucknow in this season. The southpaw scored one four and one six in his knock and steadied the ship with the Australian.
On the other hand, Krunal Pandya bowled a crucial spell for his team despite battling cramps. The left-arm orthodox spinner conceded 27 runs in his quota of four overs. Furthermore, he rotated his bowlers with guile and also got the field placements spot on in his team’s crucial win.
Pandya also gave the final over to Mohsin Khan, who was able to defend 10 runs against Tim David and Cameron Green.
“Whatever I have seen of Krunal Pandya, he is a terrific reader of the game. Before he was the captain, he used to play for Mumbai Indians, even there his reading of the game, of the situation is great. He bowls a different sort of line depending on the batters’ strength so that is all about being aware and also about the fact that he reads the opponents well, he reads his own game well,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
Meanwhile, Pandya said he would do anything for his team in order to help them win. Pandya has led from the front in KL Rahul’s absence and he has got the best out of his players. The LSG skipper also showered praise on Mohsin Khan, who held his nerves in the final over.
Krunal said in the post-match presentation, “I was having cramps, I pulled a muscle. I have always been a team player, anything for the team, so happy with the result. Mohsin has a big heart. He had surgery and playing IPL after such a thing, then the sky is the limit. It has not been easy for us, really happy to end on a good note here. Good to give them a win in this last game at this venue.”
Lucknow Super Giants will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday.
