Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul admitted that they were 15-20 runs short against Delhi Capitals after their six-wicket loss at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Friday. LSG posted 167 runs on the board after opting to bat first at their home ground.
Quinton de Kock and Devdutt Padikkal were plumbed in front by Khaleel Ahmed whereas Kuldeep Yadav ran through LSG’s middle order. Yadav, making a return to the playing XI, got the big wickets of KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis. Yadav bamboozled in-form Pooran with a googly.
The hosts were able to get to a respectable score after Ayush Badoni scored an unbeaten knock of 55 runs off 35 balls. But LSG kept losing wickets in the middle overs and it led to their downfall.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals were able to get over the line in the run-chase with 11 balls to spare. DC’s debutant Jake Fraser-McGurk impressed in his maiden innings, scoring 55 off 35. DC skipper Rishabh Pant also scored a crucial knock of 41 runs off 24 balls.
KL Rahul said after the game, “If I want to be harsh, I think we were 15-20 runs short, we got off to a good start, we could have capitalised and got 180. There was a bit of help for the seamers, the odd ball kept low. Kuldeep made its use (and got those wickets.) The new guys when they come in, it’s pretty unknown for us.”
Rahul gave credit to Jake Fraser-McGurk and Rishabh Pant for taking the game away from them. The Australian also had the rub of the green on his side as he was dropped by Ravi Bishnoi at cover.
Rahul added, “He (Jake Fraser-McGurk) hit the ball well, credit to him. We always walk in with the same mindset, want to hit the right areas. We got Warner in the powerplay, got a couple of wickets after the powerplay. The set batters – Pant and McGurk took the game away from us after that dropped catch.”
Lucknow Super Giants will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday.
