Sanjay Bangar questions LSG’s strategy of playing with four overseas batters after loss against PBKS

Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar questioned Lucknow Super Giants’ playing combination after they suffered an eight-wicket loss against Punjab Kings at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Tuesday. 

LSG played four overseas batters – Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and David Miller in their playing XI and Bangar reckons they need to strengthen their fast bowling line-up as they lack experience.

LSG could only post 171 runs on the board after they were put into bat by Shreyas Iyer whereas PBKS won with 22 balls to spare.

“This lineup lacks pace. They showed a lot of faith in Mayank (Yadav) when they made the team. Mohsin (Khan) was also there. He too is not available, although he does not have that much pace. They are missing a fast bowler,” Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports.

“Shardul (Thakur) bowled and was successful in the last match, but no team has won the IPL with a combination of four overseas batters because you also need to strengthen your bowling a little,” Bangar added.

Bangar added that LSG needs to look at their playing combination for the upcoming matches.

“Whenever you go with four or five domestic bowlers, no matter how big the score is, you won’t be able to challenge the opposing team. I feel they need a few changes in the combination. Teams rarely win matches consistently with four overseas batters,” Bangar observed.

On the other hand, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said that LSG must find a way to bring in Shamar Joseph to their playing XI.

“It has become a slight cause for concern because their bowling is looking weak. Shardul Thakur was nowhere in their scheme of things, but he is their main bowler now. Injuries are not in your control, but now they will have to think something and bring Joseph in,” he said.