Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik reckons Lucknow Super Giants were too dependent on the shoulders of overseas players, which led to their exit from IPL 2023. LSG suffered a huge loss of 81 runs against Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday in the all-important Eliminator contest.

Players like Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Marcus Stoinis were able to deliver consistently for LSG but they didn’t get the support from the Indian contingent players.

Stoinis top-scored with 40 runs in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians whereas Naveen-ul-Haq scalped four wickets for LSG but both of their efforts went in vain as the team kept losing wickets in the run-chase despite getting off to a decent start.

“Lucknow have been over-dependent on their overseas players and their Indian players have just not been able to step up. Apart from Stoinis I don’t think anyone could even score at a run a ball. This is one problem that they will need to address ahead of next season,” said Kartik on Cricbuzz.

On the other hand, Kartik showered praise on Mumbai Indians scouts who picked Akash Madhwal. The 29-year-old bowled a terrific spell as he returned with figures of 5-5 in the 3.3 overs he bowled against LSG.

These are the best returns by an uncapped player in the IPL and also the joint-most economical fifer in the IPL history. Earlier, Madhwal had returned with impressive figures of 4-37 in the must-win match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“Not just this game, he also bowled well in the previous game at the Wankhede. So it’s great that he is stepping up and credit to the scouts who keep on roaming and picked up despite playing just 10 domestic games,” Karthik added.

Mumbai Indians will take on Gujarat Titans in the second qualifier at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday.