Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul on Thursday (31st March) was a delighted captain after his team’s magnificent performance to beat the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Mumbai.
LSG registered their first win of the season by defeating CSK by 6 wickets. Bowling first, after winning the toss, the KL Rahul-led side had no clue to the onslaught by the opposition, who went great guns and scored runs at a fast rate.
Robin Uthappa scored a whirlwind half-century at the top. He was complimented well by Moeen Ali (35), Shivam Dube (49), Ambati Rayudu (27), Ravindra Jadeja (17) and MS Dhoni (16*) as CSK posted a mammoth total of 210 runs on the board. While every bowler went for runs, Ravi Bishnoi troubled CSK’s batters and returned with the figures of 2/24.
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Chasing the target, LSG openers KL Rahul (40) and Quinton de Kock (61) came out all guns blazing and provided the perfect start to their team, scoring 99 runs for the partnership. After that Evin Lewis (55*) scored a blistering half-century and a cameo by Ayush Badoni (19) in the end ensured the win for their side.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, KL Rahul lauded Quinton de Kock and Evin Lewis for their performance. He quipped that having many players in form put a smile on the captain’s face.
"Quinny in good form batted beautifully. Lewis has worked hard on his batting, his timing has gotten better. Seeing so many players in form puts a smile on a captain's face," KL Rahul said.
Rahul then talked about Ravi Bishnoi, who returned with the figures of 2/24. He said that the leg-spinner showed great character and wants to grow and learn in every game.
"Bishnoi has a big heart, he's a fighter for a little guy, shows the character he has to bounce back [from the last game] with a wet ball. Really happy for him, he wants to grow, wants to learn, and good to see that," he said.
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Rahul heaped rich praise on youngster Ayush Badoni, saying that ‘360-degree player’ is a great find and asset for India.
"Badoni, I'd seen a few videos, when you only get to see the good shots, but the way he's been batting is phenomenal. Strong, 360-degree player, a great find for India and an asset for white-ball cricket. In these conditions you give yourself an over or two, capitalise on the powerplay, and a right-left [partnership] has advantages," he concluded.
Lucknow Super Giants will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next encounter on April 4 at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
(ANI inputs)
