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Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffered an embarrassing defeats at the hands of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the IS Bindra stadium in Mohali on Friday (April 28). LSG batters wreaked havoc on PBKS' bowlers to record the second highest total in the history of IPL. LSG rode on carnage-filled knocks from Kyle Mayers (54 off 24), Marcus Stoinis (72 off 40) and Nicholas Pooran (45 off 19) to post a colossal total of 257/5. In reply, PBKS were bundled out for 201 and lost the match by 56 runs. Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers for Punjab but conceded too many runs to record a spell of 2/52.
But it wasn't the runs which cost PBKS heavily, but the extras Rabada conceded in his expensive spell. The star South African star pacer bowled couple of no-balls and as many wides. LSG's batters were already oozing fire with the willow on Mohali's belter pitch, but Rabada's two free-hits only augmented LSG's run marathon. Gurnoor Brar too followed Rabada's footsteps and gave two no-balls. But with the volume of experience Rabada has, he certainly disappointed everyone with his bowling and had a bad outing against LSG.
Meanwhile, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull, who is part of IPL 2023's elite commentary panel, slammed Rabada for his slack bowling which was laden with two no-balls against Lucknow.
Rabada gave the first no-ball in the fifth ball of the 16th over to give a free-hit and an extra run to LSG. He followed it up with a wide in the next ball, but to his relief, LSG batters took just one run on it.
"This is unacceptable behaviour. You're an international bowler. He's pushing it all the time, even when he is behind he is just there by an inch," Simon Doull said on air from the commentary box.
While chasing a huge total of 257, Atharva Taide was the only batter who launched a fight back with a stunning 66 off 36 after losing his skipper Shikhar Dhawan in the very first over. However Atharva's knock couldn't save his side from going down to LSG and only delayed the inevitable.
KL Rahul's LSG recorded their fifth victory in a total of eight matches while PBKS suffered their fourth defeat in eight encounters.
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