Had it not been for Krunal Pandya’s miserly spell supported by the other bowlers, Lucknow Super Giants would have struggled to build on top of a disappointing show with the bat against the Punjab Kings at the MCA, Stadium, Pune on Friday. KL Rahul and co won the low-scoring game by 20 runs. 

On a tricky wicket, Quinton de Kock and Deepak Hooda managed to take Lucknow to 98 runs within 13 overs before the former was dismissed. The Protea, who top-scored for his side, made 46 runs in 37 balls with the help of four boundaries and two maximums.

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Hooda’s (34 off 28) dismissal in the next over triggered a collapse. The Super Giants lost five wickets in a span of 22 runs. Skipper Rahul, who scored six runs in 11 deliveries, was disappointed with the performance. 

“We played stupid cricket with the bat,” he said in the post-match ceremony.

LSG were restricted to 153 for 8 before their bowlers rallied to restrict Punjab to 133 for eight. Krunal Pandya picked two wickets for 11 runs, Mohsin Khan recorded figures of 3/24 and Dushmantha Chameera 2/17. 

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“I was disappointed and fuming at the end of the first innings. Stupid cricket with the bat. We need to get better with the bat. Half-time, when Quinny and Deepak were batting. They paced it really really well to get to 60 in 9 overs on a tricky wicket. Had we batted smartly, we could have gotten to 180-190,” KL Rahul said at the post match presentation.

“I think we just need to be smarter in reading the game. If we could have not played too many shots we could have done better. We have been good on the field and good with the ball. Just need to keep repeating the good things,” he added. 

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The LSG skipper further praised Krunal Pandya for his economical spells throughout the tournament. 

“The way we responded with the ball was phenomenal. Krunal has been brilliant throughout the tournament. This season he has really worked on his bowling. Bowling economically is important but he has been giving us two three wickets in the middle overs,’ Rahul added.