Krunal Pandya played a key role with the ball in Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) 33-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 21 of the IPL 2024 season at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Sunday (April 7).
Opting to bat first, LSG posted a competitive total of 163/5 on the board. Marcus Stoinis was the top scorer with 58 off 43 balls while Nicholas Pooran made a handy contribution of 22-ball 32*.
However, it was LSG's bowling display that truly stole the limelight. While pacer Yash Thakur dented the opposition with his five-wicket haul (5/30 in 3.5 overs), Krunal showcased the magic of his left-arm spin to return with the figures of 3/11 in four overs.
Thanks to the bowlers’ combined brilliance, LSG bowled out GT for 130 in 18.5 overs and added two crucial points to their tally.
After the game, Krunal Pandya expressed satisfaction with his own performance, attributing his success to backing his strengths and executing his plans effectively on the field.
"When I went in, I played a couple of balls, I had a chat with Pooran as well, the wicket was very good. We felt that we were 10-15 short but at the end of the day, that's what we got, so we had to defend. I like to know the batters' strengths and weaknesses, and try to bowl according to it. It comes off some days and it doesn't some days. I backed my strengths and stuck to my plans, one of those days I executed what I wanted, tonight it came off. It feels great to defend this score, the way we have defended even last year," Krunal said.
Krunal Pandya also shared an update on LSG’s pace sensation Mayank Yadav, who left the field after bowling just one over against the Titans.
The 21-year-old came to bowl in the fourth over of the chase, but he could clock in excess of 140 kmph only twice before walking off the field. He leaked 13 runs in that over and did not take the field for the rest of the match.
"I don't know what is happening, but I had a couple of seconds with him, he seems OK. He is a bright prospect, bowled gun in the nets, last year missed out. Good head on his shoulders and unbelievable prospect and interesting to see how he will pan out in his career," Krunal remarked.
LSG team and their fans can heave a sigh of relief after the update provided by Krunal on Mayank Yadav, who has the cricketing world by storm with his sizzling pace in the ongoing IPL season.
On his IPL debut, Mayank ripped through the Punjab Kings (PBKS) batting line-up and finished with the figures of 3/27 in four overs. He followed it with another three-wicket haul (3/24) against RCB and earned two back-to-back Player-of-the-Match awards.
In both games, the youngster consistently bowled at the speed exceeding 150 kmph. In fact, he clocked 156.7 kmph against RCB to register the fastest ball of the season so far.
Lucknow Super Giants will next face Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday (April 12).
