Lucknow Super Giants pounced on the mistakes of a self-destructing Punjab Kings to record a 20-run win in the Indian Premier League on Friday. Kagiso Rabada struck four times as Punjab Kings upped their game in the bowling department to restrict Lucknow Super Giants to 153 for eight. It should have been a straight forward chase but Punjab fluffed to end at 133 for eight in 20 overs.
Meanwhile, PBKS skipper Mayank Agarwal, who could only score 25 off 17, rued team's defeat as he admitted that his side needs to face the truth after failing to put up a promising performance.
"I think we just kept losing wickets. We had batsmen who were set and we kept getting out. So many soft dismissals for us. It is disappointing and we have to face the truth. We didn't bat well enough and we were below par with the bat. The new ball was doing a bit, seaming around and there was some bounce, it was a crucial period and after that it did get better to bat on. We are bowling exceedingly well and doing a lot of right things as a bowling unit. Arshdeep has stepped up, Rahul got wickets and KG being the big guy is always stepping up and getting us important wickets," Mayank said in the post-match presentation.
Pacer Dushmantha Chameera (2/17) and Krunal Pandya (2/11) led LSG's spirted bowling effort but they were also aided by the recklessness of the Punjab batters who struggled to convert starts, including skipper Mayank Agarwal (25), Liam Livingstone (18) and Jonny Bairstow (32).
Left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan also ended with three wickets.
Rishi Dhawan (21 not out) tried his best to bring back Punjab from the dead but it proved to be too much of a task as PBKS succumbed to Lucknow's sharp bowling attack. A sixth win in nine games takes IPL debutants LSG closer to a play-off berth while the task gets tougher for Punjab who have only four wins in nine games.
