GT vs LSG LIVE: KL Rahul’s start to life as captain of the Lucknow Super Giants got off to a disappointing start as his side conceded a last over defeat to fellow newcomers Gujarat Titans. Defending 158, Lucknow had control of the game for most parts only to concede it in the final overs of the game. The loss meant that Rahul has now lost his last five matches as captain, all in 2022. Follow IPL 2022 live updates on Insidesport.in
GT vs LSG Live: KL Rahul FLOPS on Lucknow Super Giants CAPTAINCY debut, trails Rishabh Pant in FUTURE India captain race – Check why?
KL Rahul, the highest-paid player in IPL 2022, did not put up a great show as captain for the Lucknow Super Giants as the new franchise made its debut on Monday. Struggling with the absence of some key foreign stars Rahul named a surprising line-up, backing three spinners in Ravi Bishnoi, Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda.
While Krunal bowled a match-turning spell, both Bishnoi and part-timer Hooda got smacked for runs giving impetus to the Gujarat Titans’ innings. The decision to go with three spinners was particularly surprising on a track that aided pace. Mohammed Shami and Dushmantha Chameera had both shown that pace was key but KL did not pay heed to those clues and struck with his spinners.
In fact, both Bishnoi and Hooda bowled an over each in the final five overs, with Miller and Tewatia taking full advantage of the same, to seal back the momentum and eventually the game. Hooda was hammered for 22 in his last over, which turned the tide as Gujarat scampered through to a win.
Chameera was arguably Lucknow’s best bowler alongside Krunal, but the Sri Lankan never got to finish his spell in a rather surprising move from Rahul. Chameera had got Shubman Gill in the first over and knocked over Vijay Shankar next, but did not give him a third despite having seen Shami do the damage in the powerplay. With four overs left, he opted for an over of Hooda over Chameera, which cost 22 runs, the same number the Sri Lankan conceded in his three overs.
KL Rahul’s captaincy mistakes that cost Lucknow Super Giants
- Playing XI – Opting for three spinners on a pace friendly surface
- Continuing with spin despite the ball getting wet and tighter to grip due to dew
- Taking off Dushmantha Chameera after his two overs burst despite the Sri Lankan taking two wickets.
- Giving Hooda the 16th over Chameera, who conceded 22 to give Gujarat the momentum.
GT vs LSG Live: KL Rahul FLOPS on Lucknow Super Giants CAPTAINCY debut, trails Rishabh Pant in FUTURE India captain race – Check why?
The defeat was his fifth consecutive in all formats, having lost all four of his games as India captain on the tour of South Africa. Rahul’s lacklustre performances as a leader will peg his chances of being a future Indian captain, with Rishabh Pant excelling at Delhi Capitals and showing far more maturity in the past few months.
Pant led the Capitals to the playoffs last season while Punjab failed to do so in the three years KL led the franchise. Rahul will now need to pull up his socks and showcase his leadership acumen in the coming games, or he seriously finds himself falling behind Pant and JAsprit Bumrah in the leadership pecking order for Team India.
GT vs LSG Live: KL Rahul FLOPS on Lucknow Super Giants CAPTAINCY debut, trails Rishabh Pant in FUTURE India captain race – Check why?
Editors pick
