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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul is often criticised for his strike rate. His strike rate was once again in question as he took the field against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Sawai Man Singh Stadium on April 19. The opener did not get off to a good start as Royals’ lethal left-arm pacer Trent Boult did not let him score a single run in the first over. He failed to use the fielding restrictions which led to former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen calling his innings boring.
"Watching KL Rahul bat in the powerplays is the most boring thing I have ever been through," Pietersen said while commentating on Star Sports.
Rahul could only score 19 runs from 19 balls in powerplay overs. Also, he was dropped twice and survived a run out chance as well. His opening partner Kyle Mayers struggled to score too. As a result, LSG had 37 runs on the board after powerplay overs.
Rahul tried to accelerate and hit Yuzvendra Chahal for a massive six in the ninth over. However, Jason Holder made up for the dropped catch and got Rahul's wicket in the 11th over. He scored 39 runs from 32 balls at a strike rate of 121.88.
This was not the first time Rahul has struggled to score in powerplay overs. Here are his powerplay numbers in last five IPL 2023 games –
8 off 12 balls vs Delhi Capitals at a strike rate of 66.7
19 not out off 13 balls vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with 146.15 strike rate
18 not out off 14 balls vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at a strike rate of 128.16
11 not out off 12 balls vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with 91.7 strike rate
20 not out off 17 balls vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) at a strike rate of 117.65
Before the game, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag had predicted that Rahul will do well against Royals.
"KL Rahul is back in form. He scored runs in the previous match. Yes, his strike rate may not have met people's expectations, but his form is a great sign. Rajasthan doesn't have any other fast bowler apart from Trent Boult who has express pace or is very dangerous. They do have dangerous spinners, but if KL Rahul bats for long, he will surely take them apart," Sehwag told Cricbuzz before the encounter.
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