Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Lucknow Super Giants’ batting performance after their 19-run loss against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday. After conceding 208 runs, LSG was restricted to 189-9 in the run-chase.
The visitors lost four early wickets and found themselves under the cosh. DC’s veteran pacer Ishant Sharma bagged three wickets whereas Marcus Stoinis was stumped by Rishabh Pant on the bowling of Axar Patel. LSG was reduced to 44-4 as they could not get any kind of impetus in the first five overs.
Nicholas Pooran was able to get off the blocks in a jiffy as he scored 61 runs off 27 balls. Furthermore, Arshad Khan scored an impressive knock of 58 runs off 33 balls but none of the other LSG batters could go past the 20-run mark.
“When Lucknow came to bat, what batting are you doing? Quinton de Kock’s bat is not striking the ball and KL Rahul got out for five. After that, (Marcus) Stoinis came and he was left stranded in the middle. Deepak Hooda got out for zero. What are you doing?”, Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator added that the game was alive till Nicholas Pooran was going all guns blazing for LSG.
“The way Nicholas Pooran was hitting, it’s called slogging. Ishant (Sharma) picked up three wickets. Till the time Nicholas Pooran was there, the match was alive because it wasn’t such a big total, you weren’t chasing 250, but then Nicholas also got out. Axar (Patel) took a good catch at the edge of the circle,” Chopra observed.
Chopra hailed Arshad Khan for delivering with both bat and ball. Khan also got the big wicket of in-form Jake Fraser-McGurk.
“Arshad Khan – I think that was my Player of the Match because the kid first dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk for zero. He single-handedly fought till the end and instilled life in the match. He used to be a part of Mumbai (Indians) earlier,” he said.
Chopra added it won’t be a surprise if Khan attracts big bids at the next mega IPL auction as he can deliver with both bat and ball.
“His bowling has swing and in batting, he has the ability to hit straight, which very few batters have. So it’s thumbs-up with both hands from my side, and I won’t be surprised if goods bids are placed on him in next year’s auction and he will be picked for a fairly decent sum,” Chopra noted.
LSG will play their last league stage match of the season against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday.
