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KL Rahul produced a scintillating knock to smash his second century of the IPL 2022 to set up Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) emphatic 36-run victory to send Mumbai Indians (MI) packing from the playoff race on Sunday (April 24).
Rahul continued his fairytale run against MI, slamming an unbeaten 103 off 62 balls with the help of 12 fours and four maximums as LSG posted 168/6 after being invited to bat at the Wankhade stadium.
Chasing 169, Rohit Sharma-led side faltered to 132/8 and suffered their record eighth loss on the trot in the 15th edition of the IPL.
For his exceptional knock, Rahul was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' award. After receiving the award, the LSG skipper said that he is making up for all the over rates and fines that he is getting.
"Will have to make up for all the over rates and fines I'm getting (with his Player of the Match awards). Trying to play according to the situation, see what's expected out of me. Enjoying batting, enjoying the responsibility. Fingers crossed I can keep doing the right things. First thought was just get bat on ball, feel good, get that single. When you've played in a venue that's been good to me previously, but not so much in the last two games, just wanted to get that single first. Lucky that I could score as much as I did. I try and assess the pitch and conditions and see what's best I could do for the team," Rahul said in the post match presentation.
Rohit Sharma looked good during his 31-ball 39 but MI suffered a collapse once again as the skipper didn't get the support from the other end.
For LSG, all the bowlers chipped in with Krunal Pandya taking 3 for 19 and Dushmantha Chameera conceded only 14 runs in 4 overs.
Rahul, who had scored a century against MI a few days back, looked in imperious form but he didn't get enough help from the other batters.
The 30-year-old flamboyant batter also talked about his team's progress and said teams that can defend well, or bowl well in the powerplay and finish off well in the death overs are teams that have won the tournament
"With this team, we do bat deep. Holder is batting at eight. With the depth, you can play a bit more freely. That's probably the only reason (for his higher strike rate). Teams that can defend well, or bowl well in the powerplay and finish off well in the death overs are teams that have won the tournament. We were very clear going into the auctions - I'm big on having all-rounders in the team. Having them in the team, makes my life easier with the options," Rahul further said.
